23/09/2016
Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS), on 23rd of September 2016, has launched the publication "Berlin Process: Path to Europe or to nowhere?" a report that answers a number of questions related to the integration processes of Kosovo, the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue but also the position of Kosovo after the new relations between Serbia and Albania.
This report aims to address the position of Kosovo in the framework in the Berlin Process and also discusses the integration process into EU, the dialogue with Serbia as the main condition that the EU is using in case of Kosovo's integration> The report addresses as well the challenges and opportunities for regional cooperation that will be bring up to the Berlin Process when it comes to the western Balkan region. Key findings from the research results of KCSS show us that the Berlin Process is taking place at the moment to guarantee regional development and cooperation envisaging a future European Union (EU) membership for the Western Balkans.
The process aims to fill the enlargement fatigue created as a result of some EU official statements no further enlargement over the next years. Initiated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2014, the Berlin Process includes twelve states: six Western Balkan states which are at the different stages in their EU integration process (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) and six EU members states (Austria, Croatia France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia). Resolution of bilateral disputes represents a large portion of the Berlin process, by focusing into remaining open bilateral issues and some potential expected to derive mostly with border demarcations.
The efforts to resolve bilateral disputes took shape during the Vienna Summit with the launch of the joint declaration on bilateral issues. However, the lack of implementation or monitoring mechanism that will ensure implementation of the commitments made during this process can pose a serious challenge for the entire process. Potential decrease of attention, namely by Germany, would mark the Berlin Process of “just another initiative” without tangible results.
While there was no overlap with the Kosovo- Serbia dialogue in resolving one of the most challenging bilateral dispute in the region, the Berlin Process saw a new strategic approach to the issue by highlighting the Albanian- Serbian relations, by sidelining Kosovo as the “elephant in the room” with respect to Albanian-Serbian relations. Berlin Process gives more prominence, at least nominally, towards Albanian and Serbian leaders while no clear objective is seen to be focused in solving the remaining obstacles with respect to Kosovo’s statehood, dysfunctional Bosnia and Hercegovina and political impasse in Macedonia. However questions remain over what strategies will approach Kosovo after the new relations between Albanian and Serbia, which one continues to block Kosovo's integration processes.
