On a visit to the Western Balkans, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced, on Wednesday 26 October in North Macedonia, and then on Thursday 27 October in Kosovo and Albania, support of half a billion euros to help the countries of the region to cope in the medium and long term with the energy crisis caused by the Russian aggression in Ukraine.
“There are 500 million euros in grants for the whole region to invest in what is so necessary now to get our independence: to invest in energy connections; to invest in energy efficiency; and of course to invest in renewable energy”, she stressed to the media, pledging the EU’s solidarity to overcome the crisis.
“It is important to invest in renewable energy, it gives energy independence, creates good jobs and is good for the climate”, the President added in Tirana.
Ms von der Leyen announced more immediate budgetary support of €80 million for North Macedonia and Albania, and €75 million for Kosovo, to help citizens and businesses cope with high energy prices. She promised that the funds, which will be channelled through the ‘Economic and Investment Plan’, will be available from January 2023.
The Commission President also invited the Western Balkan countries to participate in the common European public procurement for gas and liquefied natural gas, saying that they could benefit from the decisions taken by the European Council in recent days (see EUROPE 13047/1).
North Macedonia. In Skopje, Ms von der Leyen praised the country’s progress in upholding the Rule of law, reforming the judiciary and developing a strong market economy.
The Macedonian Prime Minister, Dimitar Kovačevsk, reiterated that there was no alternative to his country’s accession to the European Union.
Asked about the amendment of the Constitution, which requires 2/3 of the Macedonian Parliament and will allow the country to move forward on its European path, the Commission President said she was “deeply convinced” that North Macedonia will unite to form a majority to allow a positive vote. She called on the political class to make the dream of young Macedonians a reality: that their country join the EU.
Mr Kovačevski also insisted that the agreement on Frontex (see other news) was translated into Macedonian “without footnotes or asterisks”. The status of the Macedonian language was one of the issues of contention with Bulgaria.
Kosovo. Ms von der Leyen recalled the Commission’s support for visa liberalisation for Kosovo, the only Western Balkan country not to benefit from it. The Commission, she said, is teaming up with the Czech Presidency of the EU Council to convince the remaining sceptical countries to grant liberalisation, adding that “quite a number” of Member States are in favour.
The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, recalled that her country had made great progress in terms of the rule of law and met all the required criteria.
Ms von der Leyen herself acknowledged the country’s progress, highlighting efforts to strengthen democracy and the Rule of law and to fight corruption. Kosovo is building, “step by step, not only the judicial system, but also a very strong market economy”, she added.
Albania. As in North Macedonia and Kosovo, Ms von der Leyen highlighted Albania’s progress, particularly in strengthening the Rule of law and reforming the justice system, achieved through political consensus. She also praised the country’s “exemplary” attitude in defending a rules-based international order in the UN Security Council, where it is currently a non-permanent member.
Prime Minister Edi Rama recalled that on 6 December his country will host the EU/Western Balkans Summit, the first of its kind to be held in the region. There is a “very positive synergy” between the EU and the Western Balkans, he said. While Mr Rama said the summit would focus on what can be done together in the coming years, Ms von der Leyen said it would address the war in Ukraine and the energy issue. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)