19th Agricultural Ministers' Meeting: Berlin Process and the Future of Western Balkan Agriculture

On 1 October 2025, agriculture ministers and heads of delegations from Southeastern Europe met in Pristina for the 19th Annual Agricultural Ministers’ Meeting. Convened under the auspices of Kosovo’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG RRD), the meeting built on commitments made in Budva (2022), Jahorina (2023) and the Skopje Declaration (2024). The ministers adopted a comprehensive set of conclusions aimed at advancing regional cooperation and EU integration:

• EU alignment and market integration – Ministers pledged to resolve bilateral and multilateral obstacles to the free movement of goods, services, people and capital and to fully align legislation with EU acquis Chapters 11 (Agriculture and Rural Development), 12 (Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy) and 13 (Fisheries and Aquaculture) by 2030. They also committed to using EU instruments such as IPARD to modernise agri‑food systems.
• Green Agenda and climate adaptation – Recognising the region’s vulnerability to climate change, the ministers agreed to implement Pillar IV of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, transforming agriculture and food systems towards sustainability, resilience and competitiveness. They will integrate climate‑adaptation measures into investment policies and aim to adopt national climate‑adaptation action plans for agriculture and forestry by 2026.
• Knowledge, innovation and data – Public access to high‑quality agricultural, soil and meteorological data will be improved, and regional collaboration on satellite‑based forest monitoring will be strengthened. The ministers reaffirmed the urgency of establishing Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) to accelerate green transition and digitalisation.
• Sustainable forestry and natural resources – Forests were recognised as critical for climate mitigation, biodiversity and rural livelihoods. The ministers committed to cooperation on forest‑fire prevention, reforestation and biodiversity conservation and to promoting close‑to‑nature forest management.
• Investment and fair income – Investments in renewable energy, circular‑economy solutions and resource‑efficient technologies will be encouraged. The ministers committed to working with EU and international financial institutions to scale up green investments in rural areas and reaffirmed their determination to ensure fair income and economic prospects for farmers through modernisation and sustainable practices. They emphasised inclusiveness and stakeholder engagement.
• Rural youth and women – Policies will encourage generational renewal in rural areas, enabling young farmers to access land, credit and technology. Empowerment of rural women through inheritance reforms, tax incentives and targeted support schemes was highlighted. The LEADER approach will expand to ensure local action groups and civil society shape development.
• Regional and international cooperation – Ministers thanked the European Commission, EU member states and international partners including FAO, RCC, CIHEAM, GIZ, BMZ and BMLEH for their continuous support. They welcomed the continuation of the Agricultural Policy Dialogue with Germany and called for sustained engagement from European and international partners. The conclusions will be presented at the Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit and reviewed in 2026.

What does this mean for the region?

If implemented, these decisions could significantly reshape agriculture and rural development in the Western Balkans. EU alignment will standardise legislation and open access to the EU market, providing farmers with predictable rules and opportunities for growth. By removing non‑tariff barriers, the region can enhance intra‑Balkan trade and prepare for the common regional market. The Green Agenda and climate‑adaptation measures will help mitigate the region’s exposure to extreme weather and environmental degradation. National adaptation plans and investments in renewable energy and circular‑economy technologies will reduce vulnerability, improve resource efficiency and support long‑term sustainability.

Strengthening knowledge and innovation systems is crucial for modernising agriculture. Access to data and digital technologies, together with AKIS platforms, will enable evidence‑based decision‑making, precision farming and better risk management. Sustainable forestry commitments will protect ecosystems and maintain the natural capital on which agriculture and rural livelihoods depend. Investments and policies aimed at ensuring fair income and empowering youth and women can reverse demographic decline in rural areas and foster inclusive development. Inclusive policy processes will build trust and ensure that reforms reflect the needs of farmers, agribusinesses and civil society.

Finally, by presenting these conclusions at the Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit, the ministers ensure that their sector‑specific commitments feed into the broader political and economic agenda of the region. The Berlin Process provides the diplomatic framework through which agricultural reforms can be linked with transport, energy, digital and social initiatives.

Germany’s Support in Agriculture

Germany plays a significant role in supporting the implementation of these conclusions. As the initiator of the Berlin Process, Germany has consistently promoted regional cooperation and EU integration. Beyond high‑level diplomacy, it provides targeted assistance through several projects as part of the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans. 

Such project is “Green Agenda: Supporting the Westrn Balkans in Adapting to Climate change” , with the objective to support WB countries in adapting to climate change in accordance with the GAWB. The project follows a multi-level approach and shall strengthen the capacities for planning and implementing climate adaptation strategies and measures at regional, national and, in some cases, local stakeholders.

The agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to changing climatic conditions. Based on thorough climate risk assessments, the project supports developing and implementing strategies and measures for climate-smart agriculture. In cooperation with SWG RRD and the national ministries of agriculture, the project develops national strategies and action plans for addressing climate adaptation in agriculture. The action plans will help to systematically mainstream climate adaptation systematically in agricultural policies, regulations, and advisory services. In addition, the project implements concrete demonstration measures that will serve as scalable best practice examples for climate adaptation in agriculture. 

The Berlin Process: A Platform for Regional Cooperation

The Berlin Process was initiated in 2014 to harness the potential of regional cooperation and connectivity in the Western Balkans. It brings together the six Western Balkan economies (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) with EU member states and institutions to foster good‑neighbourly relations, invest in infrastructure and prepare the region for EU accession. The platform is about more than symbolic summits; it aims to generate concrete benefits for citizens, support the EU accession process and encourage alignment with EU standards. By facilitating high‑level cooperation between the Western Balkan Six, EU institutions and international financial institutions, the process provides a framework for initiatives in transport, energy, digitalisation, youth cooperation and the environment. Agricultural ministers’ meetings, held annually within this framework, focus on aligning regional policies with the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and fostering sustainability. The 19th meeting in 2025 continued this trajectory.