British Parliament Hosts Members of Parliaments from Western Balkan Countries

(Patria) - The British Parliament hosted a parliamentary meeting today as part of the Berlin Process, bringing together members of parliaments from the Western Balkan countries, the United Kingdom, and the German Bundestag to discuss how parliaments can support the Berlin Process priorities of fostering regional cooperation and prosperity.

British Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty addressed the attendees at the gathering.

Delegates from the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Marina Pendeš and Želimir Nešković, attended the meeting.

The event, organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (BGIPU), focused on three thematic areas of significance for the future of the region's relations with the UK and Europe – security, migration, and economic growth.

Participants discussed the role of parliaments in overseeing the implementation of commitments undertaken by the governments of the Western Balkan countries within the framework of the Berlin Process, as well as ways in which these commitments can be realized through the active involvement of citizens' representatives and the strengthening of mutual cooperation in the region.

Nešković emphasized the need for a coordinated approach and strengthening regional cooperation, while respecting the specificities of each Western Balkan country, as well as the importance of maintaining stability, security, and respecting human rights.

"Migration is an issue that transcends borders and the individual capacities of our countries. It brings with it a range of challenges – from humanitarian and security to socio-economic," said Nešković.

Delegate Marina Pendeš said she was very pleased to have the opportunity to share opinions and views with her colleagues, "to find some solutions together and, ultimately, to take concrete steps to achieve progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for all our constituent peoples in BiH."