This week, the UK is hosting the Berlin Process leaders’ summit for the second time, marking the start of a next five-year cycle since its launch by Angela Merkel in 2014.

The Berlin Process initiative, which supports the EU accession path of the six Western Balkans countries, the WB6, is a collaborative effort of nine EU member states – Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Slovenia – plus the UK and the EU itself. Apart from Germany, the UK is the only partner country that has chaired the Process more than once.

Earlier this year, the UK appointed a new envoy to the Western Balkans – experienced senior diplomat Karen Peirce, signalling its seriousness about engagement with the WB6.