Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, is in London today, representing the Prime Minister, to attend the Summit of Heads of State and Government within the framework of the Berlin Process.
The initiative aims to promote regional cooperation among the six Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia), while supporting their European perspective and ongoing domestic reforms.
The programme will open with addresses by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, followed by the first session featuring statements from the representatives of the six Balkan countries.
Minister Tajani will take the floor in the plenary session dedicated to growth, migration and security, highlighting Italy’s contribution to development, as well as to infrastructural and energy integration in the Western Balkans. He will also underline the need to advance key projects in strategic sectors in the perspective of EU accession: the upgrade of the Trieste–Belgrade railway line and Corridor VIII, both strongly supported by Italy, are central to enhancing the Balkans’ connectivity with Europe. Minister Tajani will reiterate his hope for further progress towards the creation of a Common Regional Market, in order to fully seize the opportunities offered by the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
At the conclusion of the Summit, the Chair’s Conclusions will be issued by the United Kingdom, which currently holds the rotating presidency.
Following the Summit, Minister Tajani will inaugurate the new premises of the Embassy of Italy in London.
