Berlin – The Aspen Institute and the German Federal Foreign Office convened a high-level working group of experts and government representatives in Berlin from 3-5 December 2024, to address the reconciliation and enlargement pathway for the Western Balkans. Participants engaged in insightful discussions, providing thorough analyses of the current situation and offering constructive solutions to foster a prosperous Western Balkans as it integrates into the European Union.
RYCO Secretary, Albert Hani, once again using this opportunity has pointed out the necessity to recognize and validate the already undertaken small but courageous steps of the governments in WB that directly contribute to Peacebuilding and reconciliation processes such are: establishment of RYCO as a reconciliation project, joint government sessions, exchanges in topics of the police work, army, migration etc.
Reconciliation is not merely about establishing ultimate truth and identifying victims and perpetrators; it is fundamentally about fostering trust and dismantling the negative stereotypes and prejudices that often fuel violence, Secretary-General Albert Hani emphasized.
Here in, the statements from Germany and France seem aligned and they demonstrate a sustained commitment to supporting the Western Balkans’ EU accession through tangible contributions to reconciliation efforts. Despite the complexities of the European and global political landscape, the focus on the Western Balkans will remain. RYCO is obligated to communicate this message of hope to the region’s youth while fostering a deeper understanding of the benefits of peacebuilding, reconciliation, and positive neighborly reactions in WB.