The UK will host Western Balkans leaders for the Berlin Process
Summit in Autumn 2025.
- UK to host major summit with Western Balkans leaders in
Autumn 2025.
- Summit will boost cooperation with Western Balkans partners
to tackle irregular migration along key transit routes,
delivering on the Prime Minister's Plan for Change.
- Diplomat appointed as the UK's
Special Envoy to the Western Balkans.
The UK will host leaders of the six Western Balkans countries and
other European leaders later this year for a crucial
international Summit to support stability, security and economic
co-operation in the region.
It will also focus on how to work together to combat the region
being used as a transit route for irregular migration, with the
Government focussed on using every tool at its disposal to
control the UK's borders.
Known formally as the Berlin Process, the Summit will strengthen
cooperation with European partners to help deliver on the UK
Government's strategy to strengthen borders, smash the gangs, and
get those with no right to be here returned to their countries.
As one of the UK's most experienced diplomats, Dame DCMG has been appointed the UK
Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, charged with driving
forward the UK's strategic objectives across the region,
including preparations for the Summit.
The summit comes as the UK develops a world first sanctions
regime to snare people smugglers upstream.
Foreign Secretary, said:
The Western Balkans is of long-standing importance to the UK, and
our partnerships in the region are central to our efforts to
tackle irregular migration and bear down on the evil trade in
human lives. Hosting the Berlin Process in the UK demonstrates
our commitment to European Security, and to delivering on the
Government's Plan for Change.
With her experience and expertise, Dame is the ideal person to drive
this important work forward. I would like to thank for his personal dedication and
service in advancing UK interests in the Western Balkans over the
past 3 years.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, said:
Co-operation is key if we want to stop people making dangerous
journeys to the UK. Which is why, through the Border
Security Command, we are rebuilding strong relationships across
Europe and beyond to address the common challenge of irregular
migration and secure our borders.
This government has already agreed new deals to increase
operational co-operation on organised immigration crime with
countries including North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo. Our
international work, alongside a stronger immigration enforcement
approach being taken in the UK, will ensure we are breaking the
business model of the people-smuggling gangs at every level.
The UK's hosting of the Summit in partnership with Germany
underlines this government's commitment to resetting its
relationships with Europe, and the latest step in the
government's strategy to build enduring partnerships to bear down
on criminal groups facilitating irregular migration.
The announcement follows the Prime Minister hosting German
Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the weekend.
Last month, the Foreign Secretary visited Tunisia to boost
support for projects to tackle the drivers of small boat arrivals
in Europe and the UK.
In January, the UK also announced plans for the world's first
sanctions regimeto
take down people smuggling rings and starve them of illicit
finance fuelling their operations.
With three NATO allies present in the region, the Western Balkans
is of critical importance for UK and European security. The risk
of instability increasing: regional tensions are aided by malign
Russian influence and there is an urgent need to crack down
on criminal gangs who have made the region into a major
transit route for irregular migration across Europe.
The UK's Special Envoy will also contribute to wider missions of
the Prime Minister's Plan for Change, including working to
disrupt organised crime groups to make Britain's streets safer
and promote opportunities for British businesses to deliver
economic growth.
Before serving as British Ambassador to the United States, Dame
was the UK's Permanent
Representative to the UN in New York – the first female officer
to hold each position.
She will take up her new position in the Spring, taking over from
Air Chief Marshal The KG GBE KCB DL.
