09/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On 9 December, the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Development Bank of the Council of Europe, with the support of the Member States of the EU, launched the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), to help fund priority projects in the region, particularly infrastructure projects (including social infrastructure) in the field of energy efficiency, and to support projects implemented by SMEs. 26 million euros in subsidies were made available this Wednesday by the steering committee of the WBIF at its first meeting, to support 26 technical assistance projects in the region. (O.L./trans.fl)