The President of the European Union Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced a new economic growth plan for the Western Balkans.

“We want to offer the population of the Western Balkans ahead of time some of the advantages of membership in the European Union”, she explained.

“But the conditions must be met ahead of time”, she emphasized.

Der Leyen listed the reforms as “fundamental for investor confidence”, the creation of “an independent and effective judicial system” or the fact of “guarantee contracts in ordinary relations with the public” and “increasing the fight against corruption”.

“The Western Balkans region has great diversification potential compared to Russian fossil fuels,” she added.

“But energy efficiency, diversification intensification and acceleration for more renewable energy must be increased. The Western Balkans can get both, both energy independence from Russia and harmonization with the European Union to accelerate membership,” she said.

The plan presented by Von der Leyen will be based on “four pillars”, “bringing the Western Balkans closer to the EU single market”, “regional economic integration”, “acceleration of key reforms” and “increasing pre-accession funds”. 

“The Western Balkans can join our unique digital market in areas such as electronic or computer commerce,” Von der Leyen said.

“We can facilitate our trade in goods and payments. I want our single market to be an engine of change, not only for the countries that have already joined as part of the family, but also for those that are moving towards us”, she concluded.

/k.s/