On Tuesday 2 July, the European Commission announced the sixth investment programme under the EU Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans.
It is expected to mobilise a further €1.2 billion to support new investment in water supply and sanitation, wastewater treatment and rail transport, as well as innovation and green transformation in small and medium-sized enterprises.
These investments are in line with the three priorities of the economic and investment plan for the region: environment and climate, sustainable transport and support for the business sector.
“Our partners in the Western Balkans are building their European future. These investments, together with the necessary reforms and access to our single market, will prepare the economies of our partners to join our Union”, declared the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
The €1.2 billion investment programme includes €300 million in EU grants under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, additional bilateral contributions from the Member States and Norway, loans from international financial institutions and direct contributions from the economies of the Western Balkans. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)