Western Balkans leaders recently convened in Skopje, reaffirming their strong commitment to the EU-backed Growth Plan. This high-level meeting, attended by Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, focused on accelerating reforms, fostering regional economic integration, and unlocking significant financial support to expedite the region’s path towards EU membership.
Western Balkans Leaders Reaffirm EU Accession Drive
Leaders from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia gathered in Skopje to review progress on the EU-backed Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The plan, adopted in November 2023, aims to integrate the region into the EU’s single market, enhance regional economic cooperation, deepen EU-related reforms, and increase pre-accession funding. Commissioner Kos emphasized the plan’s role as an "accelerator into the European family," urging partners to intensify reform efforts.
- Key Takeaways: The meeting highlighted significant strides in reform implementation and reinforced the determination of leaders to maintain political momentum through regular meetings.
Pillars of the Growth Plan
The Growth Plan is structured around four key pillars designed to bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU:
- Economic Integration with the EU Single Market: This includes initiatives like free movement of goods, services, and workers, access to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), and integration of energy markets.
- Boosting Economic Integration within the Western Balkans: Through the Common Regional Market, based on EU rules and standards, to overcome fragmented markets and attract investment.
- Accelerating Fundamental Reforms: Focusing on governance, rule of law, and socio-economic reforms to support EU membership and attract foreign investment.
- Increased Financial Assistance: A new €6 billion Reform and Growth Facility (2024-2027) provides grants and concessional loans, conditioned on the implementation of specific reforms.
Tangible Progress and Future Steps
Significant progress has been reported across various sectors:
- Financial Integration: North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia have received pre-financing payments under the Reform & Growth Facility and have joined the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), simplifying financial transfers.
- Clean Energy Investments: An investment package of €87.7 million is set to mobilize €487.3 million for eight new clean energy projects in Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia, focusing on electricity infrastructure and hydropower rehabilitation.
- Digital Connectivity: Seven European Digital Innovation Hubs have been selected, and efforts are underway to reduce roaming rates and expand WiFi hotspots.
- Regional Integration: Work is advancing on Green Lanes to ensure smoother transit of goods and on integrating the region’s tourism ecosystem into EU-wide bodies.
While progress is evident, the Commission encourages Kosovo to expedite the approval process for the Facility and Loan agreements, and welcomes Bosnia and Herzegovina’s recent adoption of a draft Reform Agenda. The success of the Growth Plan hinges on rigorous enforcement of conditionality and sustained political will from Western Balkans leaders to deliver on reforms.
Sources
- Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood.
- Western Balkans Leaders’ meeting in Skopje reaffirms commitment for swift delivery of the Growth Plan –
European Commission, Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood. - The European Union Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: A reality test for EU enlargement, Atlantic Council.
- Enlargement matters – Europe’s new geopolitical, security and economic frontier –
Friends of Europe, Friends of Europe. - EU agrees on financial support for the Western Balkans accession plan, European Interest.
