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.
Arrival of delegations
Statements to the media according to the press protocol.
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
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
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.
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
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
Launch of the "Regional Public Administration Mobility Programme"
- Ms. Jelena Mrdak, ReSPA Programme Manager
Presentation of the Chair's Conclusions
- Mr. Marash Dukaj, Minister of Public Administration of Montenegro
Networking Lunch
Ministers remain available for bilateral exchanges and media as coordinated by protocol.