People4Europe - Organized by the Government of Montenegro – Ministry of Public Administration in cooperation with ReSPA
Dialogue of Ministers of Public administration

From Reform to Readiness: Building Leadership and Talent for EU Accession 

Berlin Process

Hosted in Budva, Montengro 2026

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From Reform to Readiness: Building Leadership and Talent for EU Accession

Everything You Need to Know
About People4Europe Event

Agenda

19:00-21:00
Splendid Hotel (Restaurant on the 2nd floor)

Official Dinner hosted by the Government of Montenegro and ReSPA

As part of the Berlin Process 2026 in Budva, the Government of Montenegro and ReSPA are honored to host an Official Dinner for high-level representatives from the Western Balkans and the European Union.

The dinner will be officially opened by the Minister Dukaj, who will extend a warm welcome to all distinguished guests and convey his sincere appreciation for your presence.

The evening will offer an opportunity for informal dialogue, strengthening partnerships, and reaffirming our shared commitment to cooperation and European integration.

09:30 - 10:00

Arrival of delegations

Statements to the media according to the press protocol.

10:00-10:30
Conference Room Crnojević

Welcome and Opening Remarks

All speakers will be seated in Conference Room Crnojević around the square table, while the other participants will be seated in three rows behind and around the table.

  • Mr. Marash Dukaj, Minister of Public Administration of Montenegro
  • Mr. Michael Reiffenstuel, Director for the Western Balkans, Türkiye, Council of Europe and OSCE, German Federal Foreign Office
  • Ms. Maja Handjiska Trendafilova, ReSPA Director
Mr. Marash Dukaj
Mr. Michael Reiffenstuel
Ms. Maja Handjiska Trendafilova
10:30-10:45
Conference Room Crnojević

Keynote Address: Building Administrative Capacity for the Next Stage of EU Enlargement

  • Ms. Valentina Superti, Director, Western Balkans, Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, European Commission
Ms. Valentina Superti
10:45-11:15
Conference Room Crnojević

Group Photo, Coffee Break and Interview Corners

Official group photo in front of the press wall and flags, in line with Berlin Process protocol.

This segment includes the official group photo of the participants, followed by a coffee break for informal interaction, as well as short media interviews conducted in a dedicated area.

11:15-12:00
Conference Room Crnojević

Ministerial Discussions

Empowering Leaders, Attracting Talents for Public Administration in Challenging Times & Civil Service Fit for Europe: Skilled, Digital & Agile  

  • Ms. Adea Pirdeni, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption of Albania (via Zoom)
  • Mr. Davor Bunoza, Minister of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Mr. Lulëzon Jagxhiu, Minister of Public Administration of Kosovo
  • Mr. Marash Dukaj, Minister of Public Administration of Montenegro
  • Mr. Goran Minchev, Minister of Public Administration of North Macedonia
  • Ms. Snežana Paunović, Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government of Serbia
Ms. Adea Pirdeni
Mr. Davor Bunoza
Mr. Lulëzon Jagxhiu
Mr. Marash Dukaj
Mr. Goran Minchev
Ms. Snežana Paunović
12:00-12:45
Conference Room Crnojević

EU Member States and regional partners

  • Mr. Thomas Pappenscheller, Counsellor, Civil Service and Public Sector Innovation, Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport, Belgium
  • Mr. Pavel Ivanov, Executive Director, Institute of Public Administration, Bulgaria
  • Ms. Fadila Bahović. State Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation, Croatia
  • Mr. René Troccaz, Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, France
  • Mr. Ioannis Foustanakis, Secretary General for Public Administration, Ministry of the Interior, Greece
  • Mr. Francesco Leone, Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister for Public Administration, Italy
  • Mr. Peter Pogačar, Director General of the Public Sector Directorate, Ministry of Public Administration, Slovenia
Mr. Thomas Pappenscheller
Mr. Pavel Ivanov
Ms. Fadila Bahović
Mr. René Troccaz
Mr. Ioannis Foustanakis
Mr. Francesco Leone
Mr. Peter Pogačar
12:45-12:50
Conference Room Crnojević

Launch of the "Regional Public Administration Mobility Programme"

  • Ms. Jelena Mrdak, ReSPA Programme Manager
Ms. Jelena Mrdak
12:50 - 13:00
Conference Room Crnojević

Presentation of the Chair's Conclusions

  • Mr. Marash Dukaj, Minister of Public Administration of Montenegro
Mr. Marash Dukaj
13:00 - 15:00
Splendid Hotel (Restaurant on the 2nd floor)

Networking Lunch

Ministers remain available for bilateral exchanges and media as coordinated by protocol.  

Speakers

Mr. Marash Dukaj

Minister of Public Administration of Montenegro

Mr. Marash Dukaj

Minister of Public Administration of Montenegro

Mr. Michael Reiffenstuel

Director for the Western Balkans, Türkiye, Council of Europe and OSCE, German Federal Foreign Office

Mr. Michael Reiffenstuel

Director for the Western Balkans, Türkiye, Council of Europe and OSCE, German Federal Foreign Office

Ms. Maja Handjiska Trendafilova

Director of ReSPA

Ms. Maja Handjiska Trendafilova

Director of ReSPA

Ms. Valentina Superti

Director at European Commission, DG ENEST

Ms. Valentina Superti

Director at European Commission, DG ENEST

Ms. Adea Pirdeni

Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption of Albania

Ms. Adea Pirdeni

Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption of Albania

Mr. Davor Bunoza

Minister of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mr. Davor Bunoza

Minister of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mr. Lulëzon Jagxhiu

Minister of Public Administration and Digitalisation of Kosovo

Mr. Lulëzon Jagxhiu

Minister of Public Administration and Digitalisation of Kosovo

Mr. Goran Minchev

Minister of Public Administration of North Macedonia

Mr. Goran Minchev

Minister of Public Administration of North Macedonia

Ms. Snežana Paunović

Minister of State Administration and Local Self-Government of Serbia

Ms. Snežana Paunović

Minister of State Administration and Local Self-Government of Serbia

Mr. Thomas Pappenscheller

Counsellor, Civil Service and Public Sector Innovation, Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport, Belgium

Mr. Thomas Pappenscheller

Counsellor, Civil Service and Public Sector Innovation, Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport, Belgium

Mr. Pavel Ivanov

Executive Director, Institute of Public Administration, Bulgaria

Mr. Pavel Ivanov

Executive Director, Institute of Public Administration, Bulgaria

Ms. Fadila Bahović

State Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation, Croatia

Ms. Fadila Bahović

State Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation, Croatia

Mr. René Troccaz

Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, France

Mr. René Troccaz

Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, France

Mr. Ioannis Foustanakis

Secretary General for Public Administration, Ministry of the Interior, Greece

Mr. Ioannis Foustanakis

Secretary General for Public Administration, Ministry of the Interior, Greece

Mr. Francesco Leone

Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister for Public Administration, Italy

Mr. Francesco Leone

Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister for Public Administration, Italy

Mr. Peter Pogačar

Director General of the Public Sector Directorate, Ministry of Public Administration, Slovenia

Mr. Peter Pogačar

Director General of the Public Sector Directorate, Ministry of Public Administration, Slovenia

Ms. Jelena Mrdak

ReSPA Programme Manager

Ms. Jelena Mrdak

ReSPA Programme Manager

What is the Berlin Process

The Berlin Process is a high-level political initiative established in 2014 to strengthen regional cooperation and accelerate the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union. It brings together six Western Balkan economies – Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia – alongside Germany, other partner countries, and the European Union.

The Process serves as a strategic platform for political dialogue, reform coordination, and promotion of concrete projects that enhance regional connectivity and EU integration. Each year, the Berlin Process Summit is held, preceded by ministerial meetings and thematic forums, with the participation of EU institutions, international financial institutions, civil society, youth representatives, and the regional business community.

The initiative provides strong political support and international visibility for projects contributing to stability, economic development, and European integration in the region.

Objectives of the Berlin Process

The Berlin Process aims to deepen regional cooperation and progressively align the region with EU standards and policies. Through a structured and comprehensive approach, it promotes reforms, increases the competitiveness of the region’s economies, and delivers tangible benefits for citizens.

By involving EU member states and institutions, the Process creates a unique framework for cooperation that produces sustainable results and prepares the Western Balkans for eventual EU membership.

Why was it initiated?

The Berlin Process was launched to harness the potential of enhanced regional connectivity and cooperation in the Western Balkans, strengthening good neighborly relations, interpersonal ties, and economic collaboration. It encourages a broad range of projects that promote integration, stability, and concrete benefits for the region’s citizens.

How does it work?

The Berlin Process operates through a flexible structure with a rotating presidency coordinated with the German government. Without a permanent central coordination mechanism, it relies on political commitment from participating countries and EU partners, ensuring continuity, regional ownership, and focus on tangible results.

Partners

Ministry of Public Administration

Regional School of Public Administration