07/09/2021 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 7 September, the Member States gave their final agreement to the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for the period 2021-2027 (IPA III). It will be endowed with 14.162 billion euros for the six Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) and Turkey. The funds will help with the political, institutional, legal, administrative, social and economic reforms needed for future EU membership. The aid will be divided according to thematic priorities. The EU Council and the Parliament reached an agreement on this instrument on 2 June (see EUROPE 12733/10). The European Parliament still has to approve the final agreement on the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance. (CG)