The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, called on Kosovo and Serbia to engage more actively in the normalization of relations between them, promising to work personally with both countries.

Scholz made the comments at the opening of the Berlin Process summit, which is attended by representatives of all Western Balkan countries and partner countries.

"We need a new dynamic... I would tell my friends from Belgrade and Prishtina today: Please don't let the past hold you back on the path to a peaceful and prosperous future. I am convinced that this future is in the EU and there is only one way to get there: the full implementation of the agreements reached", said Scholz during the opening speech.

"I will continue to personally engage with both countries to ensure that they take advantage of this opportunity," he added.

Launched in 2014 by then German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Berlin Process marks ten years this year.

The aim of its summits, which are held every year, is to gradually bring Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia closer to the EU.

Of the six states in the region, only Kosovo is not an official candidate for EU membership.

Speaking about the importance of the Berlin Process, Scholz said that it "is the best instrument not only for regional cooperation, but also for accelerating the European integration of all Western Balkan countries".

"The European Union is complete with the Western Balkans as part of it," he said.

Scholz also announced the signing of two new documents at today's summit, which, he said, will make people's lives easier.

The first, according to him, has to do with a new action plan for the common regional market, while the second with a new agreement for the movement, which also includes access to higher education.

"A decade of will, work and commitment to bring our region closer to the EU", wrote on Facebook the prime minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, who is present at the summit.

Over the years, several agreements and declarations have been made in the Berlin Process, but many of them have remained unimplemented./REL/