The Western Balkan countries are poorer than they were 30 years ago, which is why they will need at least 25 years to reach the EU and therefore Germany has submitted a plan “Berlin process plus”, said project director for the Balkans at the European Institute CIFE in Nice and member of the Advisory group for the Balkan policy in Europe (BiEPAG) Tobias Flessenkemper for the RFE/RL.

He adds that it is still anything but on the level of ideas.

“We haven’t heard anything especial about the funds, there is even no legal mechanism. Everything is still on the level of idea,” he explained.