Western Balkan regional integration to advance slowly

Significance

The EU-sponsored Berlin Process aims to build a Common Regional Market (CRM) in order to resolve outstanding conflicts, foster growth and advance economic integration among the WB6.

Impacts

• Region-wide free movement contributes to the normalisation of Serbia-Kosovo relations.
• The visa regime between Kosovo and BiH, the only remaining in operation within the WB6 grouping, will not be abolished.
• Workers and students will continue to leave for the EU, rather than circulate among the WB6, exacerbating the region’s brain-drain problem.
• In addition to free movement, the EU will focus on priorities such as WB6 digital transformation, innovation and regional value chains.