Intervention from His Majesty's Ambassador to Montenegro, Nerys Jones, at the 2026 Berlin Process Foreign Ministers' Meeting

I thank our esteemed hosts for bringing us together, and for your leadership of the Berlin Process this year.

Last year, when the UK chaired, we were clear that the security, stability and prosperity of this region are inseparable from those of Europe as a whole.

This goes to the heart of what the Berlin Process should be for:

First, security.

The region’s – and Europe’s – security is being tested. As my Prime Minister said in New York last week, we must find new ways to overcome growing forces of division and instability.

A connected, strategic Euro-Atlantic outlook is crucial. It remains a powerful driver for peace, stability and cooperation. And strengthening structural Euro-Atlantic security connections with the region boosts our collective resilience.

Shared values underpin that outlook and our security co-operation: maintaining resilient democracies, respecting international institutions and resisting division.

Last year, in Northern Ireland, we all committed ourselves to trust, respect, peaceful resolution of outstanding issues, and to ensuring bilateral differences do not hold back the region. Those commitments – agreed in the Hillsborough Castle Declaration on Good Neighbourly Relations – matter most when they are tested. Victims of war crimes deserve respect, compassion and accountability. Meanwhile, we continue the Northern Ireland initiative from last year’s Berlin Process, sharing practices on inter-community reconciliation.

Practical co-operation in, and with, the region is also key.

Cyber-attacks, disinformation, foreign interference, irregular migration and organised crime do not respect borders. None of us can tackle them effectively alone.

That is why the UK is supporting the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre here in Montenegro and working with regional partners on countering foreign information manipulation and interference.

And it is why we attach such importance to practical cooperation on migration and organised crime including the work of the Berlin Process Border Police Chiefs’ Forum.

Second, the Berlin Process should be for convergence.

We should judge the Berlin Process’s success by what actually changes for citizens.

I welcome this year’s focus on robust and sustainable economic growth. Growth, investment and infrastructure connectivity are foundations for shared prosperity and contribute to regional security and stability. The UK is ready to play its part. Our export credit agency has increased its risk appetite for the region and can support multinational coalitions and projects.

When our common competitiveness is threatened, our response should be collaboration not protectionism. European countries should break down barriers to trade and investment with the EU, and with each other, to build our collective resilience.

We welcome UK and EU work to link up energy markets and have shared our experience with Western Balkans partners in areas like the design of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms.

And third, the Berlin Process should be for seeing a European future.

Young people need to see their European future for themselves, not rely on our warm words.

That means jobs and economic opportunities. Resilient, sustainable growth. International cooperation that produces tangible improvements in their lives.

It means societies in which all young people can participate fully and thrive.

It means tackling the unacceptable violence and inequalities against women. These inflict generational harms to individuals and societies. And these deter participation in the economy, politics and civic life.

We made gender equality and inclusion a priority last year. We welcome the recent commitment made to increase cooperation between Western Balkan countries’ Institutions on these issues. We encourage the full implementation of relevant European Conventions and Directives on combatting violence against women and girls.

Excellencies, I would suggest a simple test for our work here in the Berlin Process: does it make this region more secure, more connected, more prosperous and more resilient? And does it give the next generation greater confidence that their future lies here, as part of Europe?

If we can answer yes, the Berlin Process will continue to have a vital role.

The United Kingdom will remain an active partner in that endeavour.

Thank you.