On July 12, 2017 the Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the Trieste Summit for the Western Balkans, as the next stage of the Berlin Process, in the ongoing course to the summits organized in Berlin (2014), Vienna (2015) and Paris (2016).

The summit was chaired by the Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Prime Ministers, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and Ministers of Economy of the EU countries and the region engaged in the Berlin Process.

The summit voiced EU's support for the unwavering progress of the Western Balkans’ integration process, as the best response to the common challenges of our continent. Also, parties confirmed the joint commitment to further draw the countries of the region closer to the European Union, through new concrete initiatives such as the "Regional Economic Zone" and the Transport Community Treaty.

For the establishment of the "Regional Economic Zone" the countries of the region adopted a plan of measures to facilitate the exchange of goods, services, capital and skilled labour. These steps aim to make the region more attractive for investment and trade exchanges, by accelerating approximation with the EU and bringing economic growth and employment for the citizens of the region.

During the Summit, the Prime Ministers of the five countries of the region and the European Union signed the "Transport Community Treaty", which establishes a new legal base for the modernization of the infrastructure network in the region, aiming at creating an integrated market of transport and alignment with EU rules.

In his speech at the session of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Minister Bushati stressed Albania's contribution to regional cooperation with tangible effects on the lives of our citizens.

By analysing the progress made in the framework of the Berlin process and recent developments in the region, Minister Bushati also dwelled on the positive developments in our country, confirming the determination to continue with the implementation of the justice reform, which will have a positive impact on the country's security and economic development. The Minister expressed his conviction that these achievements will create the necessary groundwork for the EU to take a decision to begin accession negotiations with Albania.​