Western Balkans Belin Process Summit, 10 November 2020

Summary:

A summit gathering leaders from the Western Balkans region was held on 10 November 2020 in Sofia (Bulgaria), in the framework of the Berlin Process.

Further information:

Leaders agreed to further strengthening of the regional cooperation as a way to advance on their European path. This was seen as a positive response to the Economic and Investment Plan proposed by the European Commission. The commitment includes enhanced connectivity and endorsement of initiatives such as the establishment of a Common Regional Market, the launch of a Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and further support to Roma integration.

News

EurActiv, 05/11/2020: Serbia calls for common regional market in Western Balkans https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/serbia-calls-for-common-regional-market-in-western-balkans/

Balkan Insight, 10/11/2020: Balkan Leaders Adopt Plan for Common Regional Market https://balkaninsight.com/2020/11/10/balkan-leaders-adopt-plan-for-common-regional-market/

BNT, 10/11/2020: Berlin Process Sofia summit: Leaders of the Western Balkans signed two declarations on Common Regional Market and Green Agenda https://bnt.bg/news/berlin-process-sofia-summit-leaders-of-the-western-balkans-signed-two-declarations-on-common-regional-market-and-green-a-286264news.html

Anadolu Agency, 10/11/2020: Bulgaria hosts W.Balkans Summit https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/bulgaria-hosts-wbalkans-summit/2039060

Novinite.com, 10/11/2020: Sofia Summit: European Perspective on the Western Balkans Means Stability, Peace and Prosperity https://www.novinite.com/articles/206471/Sofia+Summit%3A+European+Perspective+on+the+Western+Balkans+Means+Stability%2C+Peace+and+Prosperity

The Independent (UK), 10/11/2020: Bulgarian leader backs Western Balkans nations joining EU https://www.independent.co.uk/news/bulgarian-leader-backs-western-balkans-nations-joining-eu-leader-leader-countries-nations-support-b1720604.html

RFE/RL, 11/11/2020: Merkel Calls On Balkans To Overcome Differences As Bulgaria Holds Up North Macedonia EU Talks https://www.rferl.org/a/merkel-calls-on-balkans-to-overcome-differences-as-bulgaria-holds-up-north-macedonia-s-eu-accession-talks/30941660.html

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Official

European Commission: Press Release, 10/11/2020: Western Balkans Summit in Sofia: Important steps taken to advance regional cooperation to boost socio-economic recovery and convergence with the EU https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_2051

EU EEAS: Western Balkans Summit in Sofia: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell (10 November 2020) https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/88442/

European Commission: Remarks by Commissioner Várhelyi at the Sofia Summit (10 November 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/varhelyi/announcements/remarks-commissioner-varhelyi-sofia-summit_en

French Presidency: Sofia Summit of the Berlin Process - Statement of President Emmanuel Macron (10 November 2020) https://www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-macron/2020/11/10/eu-western-balkans-summit.en

European Investment Bank: Events, 10/11/2020: Western Balkans Summit 2020 https://www.eib.org/en/events/western-balkans-summit-2020

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