The conference entitled “The European perspective of the Western Balkans within the Berlin Process – Youth Cooperation RYCO” was marked by a constructive debate on the previous results of the Berlin process, as well as the perspectives for the continuation of reforms within this initiative, with a focus on youth cooperation and the implementation of youth policy at the national and regional levels. Also, the conference was about the European future of the Western Balkans, and the importance of enlargement policy both for the region and the EU as well.

Emphasising that the Berlin process is confirming the interest of the EU for the WB countries, giving incentive for further reforms, Chairperson of the Committee on European Integration Mr Adrijan Vuksanović has expressed pleasure with recently adopted documents in the EU, which confirm the European commitment to Montenegro’s membership in the community of European nations.  He said that the Parliament of Montenegro had an important role in promoting the European integration, achieved also through activities of the Committee, aimed at bringing the process closer to the youth, as the future beneficiaries of the membership.

The conference stressed Montenegro’s commitment to regional cooperation and maintaining of good neighbourly relations.  The Berlin process is important in this regard, which is not an alternative to the membership but its aim is to accelerate the integration process of aspirant countries, the participants of the conference noted.  As for the youth policy, the conference emphasised the need for encouraging young people's mobility and employment policies, with the aim of preparing them for the labour market.

Today’s conference in Bečići was organised by the Montenegrin Ministry of Sports and Robert Shuman and Konrad Adenauer foundations, with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and German and French embassies to Montenegro.