Berlin – Economy Ministers gathered today in Berlin to mark ten years of the Berlin Process and set future agenda. Danijela Gacevic, the Acting Director of the CEFTA Secretariat, attended the Conference, hosted by the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Dr. Robert Habeck.

The Conference, that brought together ministers, business leaders, and international experts, focused on assessing progress towards creating a Common Regional Market (CRM). Economic opportunities of the region as it moves closer to the EU integration were at the center of the discussions, together with ten important CEFTA trade facilitation agreements that are pending adoption.

Gacevic highlighted the importance of this decisions for attaining full freedom of movements of goods and services: “Adoption of these agreements would make an important step towards EU compliant Common Regional Market. Each of them is a package of benefits for businesses and consumers that will make us closer, not only to each other, but to EU, too. This is why it is crucial that we adopt them as soon as possible”

The agreements under CEFTA are adopted by the Joint Committee in the form of Decisions, Additional Protocols or Recommendations. Currently, ten such agreements are awaiting adoption in different areas: electronic commerce, parcel delivery services, prevention of unjustified geo-blocking, professional qualifications, intellectual property, risk management, travel agency services, motor insurance, recognition of authorised economic operators and settling trade disputes.

The conference’s outcomes underscore the growing importance of the Western Balkans in the European economic landscape. Progressing on the CRM, the region opens the door towards the EU Single Market, leveraging the opportunities provided by the EU Growth Plan.

Ahead of the Conference, the Business Forum brought together German and Western Balkan companies for a B2B event aimed at fostering joint supply chains and promoting investment opportunities in the region.