Since 1 January 2007, the EU consists of 27 member states. The accession of new countries and the agreement on a European constitution mark a historical moment in the European integration process. Enlargement and consolidation are bringing European integration to a new level. This development is having wide-ranging impact on the regional level and thus on Berlin.
The Berlin Senate has taken an active role in both developments – enlargement and consolidation – from the very beginning. The enlargement towards Central and Eastern Europe in particular was and remains one of Berlin’s most important prospects for the future. With the “Position paper on cooperation between the federal state of Berlin and Central and Eastern Europe” it adopted on 14 October 2003, the Senate set the course for further raising Berlin’s profile as a location and a player in the enlargement process and for targeting its resources in line with a clearly defined strategy. Cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe is a subject area dealt with by every part of Berlin’s administration.
There are many different people and offices in Berlin working in the area of European policy. The Senate Chancellery’s Division for EU Affairs, which works under the Commissioner for European Affairs, Permanent Secretary Helbig, is the Senate office responsible for this policy area.
