PODGORICA | The Institute for Strategic Studies and Projections organized on October 18th the event Enhancing Regional Cooperation: The Path to a Common Regional Market and EU Integration of the Western Balkans at the European House in Podgorica. This event is part of Common Regional Market Week in the Western Balkans – an initiative spearheaded by the Cooperation and Development Institute, in collaboration with civil society organizations across the Western Balkans, and supported by the German Federal Office.
The event gathered key representatives from the government, international organizations, and the business sector to analyze the achievements and challenges related to the newly adopted 2025-2028 Action Plan for the Common Regional Market of the Western Balkans, the Growth Plan, and EU integration.
The event began with opening speeches from government representatives and international officials:
- Milica Perišić, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Montenegro for Foreign Policy and National Coordinator for the Berlin Process;
- Yngve Engstroem, Head of the Cooperation Sector at the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro;
- Peter Felten, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Montenegro.
This was an opportunity to hear perspectives from the EU, the Government of Germany, and the Government of Montenegro on the importance of the Berlin Process and the CRM initiative for Montenegro’s integration into the EU. All speakers emphasized the significance of the Berlin Process and its connection to the development of the Common Regional Market, highlighting that such cooperation is key to increasing the region’s attractiveness and competitiveness, as well as aligning the Western Balkans’ markets with EU standards.
The panel discussion titled “The Common Regional Market and the Growth Plan” featured insights from representatives from the Montenegrin Pan-European Union, Employers Union of Montenegro; Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, Cooperation and Development Institute; and Institute for Strategic Studies and Projections.
The event also provided an opportunity to hear views from the business sector and civil society, as key actors contributing to the integration processes. The panelists analyzed current challenges in the implementation of the Common Regional Market and reflected on new initiatives introduced by the CRM 2 Action Plan. To this end, participants stressed the importance of CEFTA in delivering tangible outcomes through its active role in shaping CRM 2 and its central role during the implementation phase.
The event concluded that further regional economic integration is crucial for increasing competitiveness and attracting investments to the Western Balkans. The Common Regional Market was recognized as the most efficient mechanism for connecting the economies of the Western Balkans and accelerating integration with the European Union. Participants also stressed the importance of the development agenda and the need for effective implementation of planned reforms to achieve the goals of regional cooperation and economic growth.
Supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, civil society organizations in the Western Balkans have been actively involved in promoting an inclusive policymaking process, ensuring greater citizen engagement and societal backing for regional cooperation through under the initiative “Channellig SEE6 Civil Society contribution to the Common Regional Market and Berlin Process”.
The CRM Week 2024 will continue in other Western Balkans capitals, respectively in Skopje on 21 October, in Belgrade on 22 October, in Pristina on 23 October and finalizing in Sarajevo on October 24th.
