The path towards creating a more attractive and competitive Western Balkans lies in economic integration, improving infrastructure and all other connections, as well as deepening ties in the region in every sense, the Chairman of Bosnia’s Council of Ministers, Zoran Tegeltija, said at the Western Balkans Summit as part of the Berlin Process on Monday.

Tegeltija stressed the importance of the Berlin Process, which focuses on dialogue on key issues and challenges in the region, and encourages open and constructive dialogue on all issues of importance to the citizens of the Western Balkans.

“I am convinced that today's summit will once again confirm the commitment of all of us to work diligently and strengthen partnerships, and that it will be an incentive to work even harder and better, as well as that true efforts and dedicated work will yield concrete results,” he said, thanking Germany for organising the meeting.

“A strong, stable and prosperous Western Balkans is in the mutual interest of both the EU and the countries of the Western Balkans. We have numerous unbreakable ties with the European Union – geographical, social, cultural,” he said.

He emphasized that the coronavirus pandemic had a dominant impact on all processes and decisions in the last year and a half, emphasizing that “this global challenge reminded us how interdependent we are, directed at each other, and that without solidarity and coordinated action it is not possible to achieve sustainable results.”

He stressed that achieving long-term economic stability is now more in focus than ever.

“As in any major crisis, so in this post-pandemic one, it is necessary to look for opportunities and chances for prosperity, stability and growth,” he said, emphasizing that deepening regional cooperation and economic ties represent an investment in greater resilience to crises for the future.