07/05/24 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 7 May, the EU Council gave the definitive green light to the creation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, following the interinstitutional agreement reached with the European Parliament on 4 April (see EUROPE 13384/4). This plan should provide up to €2 billion in grants and €4 billion in loans to the EU’s six partners in the Western Balkans between now and 2027. The European Parliament approved the interinstitutional agreement on 24 April (see EUROPE 13398/30). On 7 May, European Commission spokeswoman Ana Pisonero said she hoped that the first payments could be made by the summer. (CG)