Microphones standing on a table with different national flags. © iStock.com/shironosov

Western Balkans working together towards EU integration

Regional Cooperation for EU Integration

Group photo of representatives from Western Balkan countries and EU institutions, highlighting collaboration efforts for EU integration.© GIZ

Context

The Western Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia – are working towards European Union (EU) accession. Achieving this requires better regional cooperation to address shared challenges. The Berlin Process has facilitated dialogue between the EU and the Western Balkans, yet the region still faces challenges in improving administrative skills and regional partnerships.

Additionally, limited digital infrastructure, restricted access to digital services, and insufficient regional digital cooperation hinder progress. Tackling these issues is critical for advancing digital transformation and connectivity across the Western Balkans both essential for EU integration.

Participants seated at a conference table during a regional cooperation meeting in the Western Balkans, discussing EU integration strategies.© GIZ

Objective

Regional cooperation in the Western Balkans has advanced, accelerating progress towards EU integration.

Approach

The project implements the following measures:

  • Supporting regional institutional networks – ministries of foreign affairs, EU integration authorities, Instrument-for-Pre-Accession structures, and parliamentary committee secretariats to develop joint positions on EU integration and regional cooperation, especially within the Berlin Process.
  • Establishing shared minimum standards in political and economic areas to accelerate EU integration while training specialists in partner institutions.
  • Promoting a regional dialogue platform to address gender and inclusion issues.
  • Advancing digital connectivity through the EU4Digital Action, co-financed by the EU. This includes improving digital infrastructure, e-governance, and business digitalisation. Its WiFi4WB initiative provides free public Wi-Fi in municipalities.

Last update: February 2025

Additional information