Western Balkans Summit begins earlier today in Vienna

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Vienna, Austria (27 August 2015) -- The Western Balkans Summit began earlier today in Vienna. The summit is being held in the framework of the Berlin Process, which was initiated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Conference on the Western Balkans in late August 2014 in order to strengthen support to the European perspective, economic development and improved infrastructure links within the region and with EU countries.

The Prime Minister will speak at a panel debate "Economic situation and reform process in the Western Balkans". The main topics of the Summit will be infrastructure and connectivity, regional cooperation, youth, and the refugee challenge.

In addition to the host and heads of government of Western Balkan countries, the Summit will be attended by Chancellor Merkel, prime ministers of Slovenia and Croatia, EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, as well as leaders of international financial institutions.