The Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement of the European Union, Olivér Várhelyi participated in the Euro-Balkan Ministerial of Ministers of Economy from the EU and the region, taking place within the Berlin Process, with the participation of over 20 high-level delegations. 

Várhelyi stated that a new plan is being prepared to accelerate economic growth in the Western Balkans.

“In the current geopolitical context, EU enlargement with the Western Balkans is more than ever an investment for peace, security and prosperity on our continent. It is an investment for our common future, for which this commission has worked hard since the beginning of its mandate, presenting a new methodology for the expansion, approval and implementation of a plan for investments in the economy of the region”, said the Commissioner. 

He pointed out that the economic investment plan, worth 30 billion euros, is the backbone of the connectivity and integration plan, while EU is helping with the diversification of energy sources and the decarbonization of the economies of the Western Balkans, the transition to a more sustainable transport system, the collection of data to support the sector, and moving towards a greener and digitalized region” , Várhelyi added.

The commissioner said that the implementation of the plan is progressing rapidly.

“So far we have approved 3 billion euros in grants that will mobilize 15.9 billion euros for investments. This includes 54 important projects in transport, energy, environment, digitization, human capital and competition in the private sector”, emphasized Várhelyi.

The commissioner informed that there will be other projects in December, as well as a new plan for economic growth in the Western Balkans.

“Together with the region and international financial institutions, we are preparing a series of investment projects that are expected to be approved in December. The EU is keeping its promise, but now is the time to speed up the membership process, including our economic integration. We know that economic convergence is at the heart of the benefits that come from EU membership. Currently, the convergence of the Western Balkans is at a low level. With per capita income between 30 and 50 percent of the EU average, the region needs to increase access to economic growth factors. The common market has set as its goal financial assistance and reform as soon as possible. For this reason, as announced in May 2023, we are preparing a new plan for economic growth in the Western Balkans”, declared the EU commissioner, Várhelyi.

According to him, this plan will speed up the pace of social economic convergence of the region with the EU and in this way will speed up preparations for EU membership.

“In particular, we want to speed up the economic integration with the region and the EU common market”, Várhelyi was quoted as saying.

/k.s/