On Thursday 14 June, the European Commission unveiled its post-2020 budget proposal for external action, and notably the new instrument for pre-accession (IPA III) – the structure for which is inspired by the priorities of the European strategy for the Western Balkan countries (see EUROPE 11955).
The multi-annual financial framework for 2021-2027, as suggested by the European Commission in early May (see EUROPE 12013), provides for a 13% increase in funds for IPA III (from €12.8 billion to €14.5 billion in current prices) – an increase described as "significant" by European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn.
Thematic allocation. Hahn stated that the innovation of the new instrument – "which must be underlined" – was the change from a budget allocation per country to a thematic allocation.
The themes that structure the funding envelopes are defined by the six flagship initiatives of the February strategy for the Western Balkans – the rule of law, security and migration, socio-economic development, connectivity in transport and energy, the digital agenda, and reconciliation and good neighbourly relations (see EUROPE 11955).
Indeed, Hahn said the focus of the instrument is the needs of the Western Balkans regions.
A senior European official stated that the allocation of the €14.5 billion between the different thematic envelopes has not yet been defined because this will depend on the negotiations with the member states.
In Hahn's view, the new structure of the IPA III can "create positive competition, give us more flexibility, and will probably be more effective". At the same time, the new structure will reward performance and progress towards these key priorities.
Turkey. The IPA III will be flexible enough to reflect the development of the political situation in Turkey.
Even if the accession process with Turkey is blocked, the allocation of the IPA III funds by priority will enable an adaptation to the future development of relations between Turkey and the European Union, Hahn said.
He stated that he had proposed a €253 million cut for 2018, 2019 and 2020 in the pre-accession funds for Turkey. (Original version in French by Carmen García)