Olaf Scholz at the Berlin Process meeting: We have made great progress regarding the disputes between Bulgaria and North Macedonia

The leaders of the Western Balkan countries on November 3 signed in Berlin three agreements on free movement with identity cards, mutual recognition of university degrees and qualifications for regulated professions such as doctors and architects.

The aim is to stabilise the region, marked by tensions after the break-up of Yugoslavia and the ethnic wars of the 1990s, through increased integration.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is hosting the leaders of the six Balkan states and the European Union as part of the so-called Berlin Process launched by his predecessor Angela Merkel. This week, a German official said Serbia must choose between EU membership or a closer partnership with Russia. In Berlin, Chancellor Scholz did not bypass the issue of bilateral relations.

"It is true that the bilateral conflicts that exist between the countries of the Western Balkans must be overcome. That is why it is good when talks are held. This year we have already made great progress on the disputes between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The President of the European Commission informed me about the results of these processes, which are important for the EU membership of Albania and North Macedonia", Scholz said.

During the meeting, Bulgarian Prime Minister Galab Donev said that inclusive regional cooperation in Southeast Europe is Bulgaria's top foreign policy priority. Donev also said that the problems related to energy security could be overcome and the energy transition achieved only through enhanced regional cooperation.