The European Commission announced on Wednesday 29 April the mobilisation of additional aid for the Western Balkans.
In its contribution in advance of the EU-Western Balkans Summit on 6 May, the Commission is putting forward €3.3 billion in aid from the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework. However, of these funds, €750 million of macrofinancial assistance had already been pledged (see EUROPE 12472/7), as was €38 million of immediate support for the health sector (see EUROPE 12455/15). Support for economic and social recovery needs, initially announced at €373 million, is increasing to €389 million. The Commission is also proposing a €455 million economic recovery programme in close cooperation with international financial institutions and a €1.7 billion European Investment Bank assistance package.
In addition, the EU will allocate €4.5 million to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to vulnerable refugees and migrants and €8 million to address urgent needs in migrant camps in the region under the Instrument contributing to stability and peace.
In addition to immediate aid to deal with the coronavirus, the Commission announced that, “later this year”, it will present an “economic and investment plan for the region”.
This plan, called for in January by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, is expected for the summit (see EUROPE 12411/10). According to the Commission, it will aim to stimulate long-term economic recovery and support the reforms required for the country to make progress towards the EU.
This plan will “also include a major investment programme for the region”, explains the Commission, recalling that, for the 2021-2027 period, it has proposed a total of €14.5 billion for the Instrument for Pre-Accession III, which covers the countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey.
“The Commission plans to double grant funding under the Western Balkans Investment Framework and to substantially increase financial guarantees to support public and private investments in the region through a specific guarantee instrument under the Western Balkans Investment Framework”, the contribution adds.
The Commission is emphasising the green transition and digital transformation for the post-Covid-19 era. “Support will be provided to improve the competitiveness of the Western Balkan economies, to better connect them within the region and with the EU and to help them prepare for the digital age”, says the contribution, which also highlights cooperation on education and health. Emphasis will also be placed on transport and energy connections.
Finally, according to the Commission, the plan foresees increasing EU support to the countries in the areas of economic reforms, Rule of law and institutional capacity in order to bring them closer to the EU.
See the contribution: https://bit.ly/2SiEjgC (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)