“We approved a new group of five more projects worth about 700 million euros for the Western Balkans” that is the statement issued by the president of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen during the Summit of the WB in Brussels.

“We had a very good discussion at this summit. The summit takes place about a month after the enlargement commission’s report. To remind, we want to open membership negotiations for the first so-called basic group as soon as possible with Albania and North Macedonia”, she emphasized during the press conference, after the EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels.

“We consider that we can open membership negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved,” Von der Leyen said.

“And finally, for both Kosovo and Serbia, the way forward lies in fulfilling their commitments within the EU dialogue. They have made important steps forward this year with the Ohri agreement, which must now be implemented. And I welcome the reduction of tensions in the north of Kosovo, especially in the preparation for early local elections. This is the background in which we discussed,” she said.

“Of course, membership negotiations are a part of our efforts to bring the Western Balkans closer, but the other part is to look at the economy. If you look at the economies of the Western Balkans, they stand today at around 35% of the EU average. In other words, there is a lot of untapped potential. And that’s what the new growth plan is looking at. The new growth plan basically has four principles, or four pillars,” Von der Leyen said.

“The first is to say that we, the European Union, open our market in seven important sectors in the Western Balkans. For example, cooperation on customs, cashless payments, seamless transport, home roaming and other sectors that are important,” she said.

“Secondly, we asked the Western Balkans to open their markets respectively to their neighbors. So to actually complete the regional common market, if the regional common market were to be completed. I am not talking about the single market, but about the common regional market of the Western Balkans. This could increase the GDP of the Western Balkans by 10%,” Von der Leyen said.

“The third element is that the Western Balkans have access to the common market. We need a level playing field. Therefore, reforms should be made in the Western Balkans”, she said.

“And the fourth element is investment. This is the growth plan that says you make reforms happen. Here is the investment that accompanies those reforms. Investment and reform is a principle you are familiar with from the next generation of the EU. We reflect this in the new growth plan. And the new growth plan has the potential to double the size of the region’s economy within a decade,” she emphasized.

“Of course, that’s the big picture. But there are also many good steps, smaller steps forward. Since October 1, roaming fees have been reduced by 90% thanks to the cooperation of operators. Now we are working to make it permanent even if you get transport,” she added.

“We already have a roadmap for the modernization of border points, which was agreed upon by the partners today. These are hassle-free customs procedures between us. These are good for easier integration into the EU single market. This means more business, more trade, more investment,” she said.

“Regarding investments, we have also seen the economic and investment plan already in operation. 30 billion euros for the Western Balkans. 17 billion euros have already been delivered. And today a new group of five more projects worth about 700 million euros was approved,” Von der Leyen said.

“There is good news as we now want to extend the WiFi program for the EU to the Western Balkans. This means bringing 15 million euros in grants to make it possible for 400 municipalities to have Wi-Fi for the Western Balkans in their area,” she added.

“And finally, young people, the most precious part of our lives. In October, we were happy and honored to open the local office of the College of Europe in Tirana. I can report that already 500 students have applied to study in the coming years with the European Union will finance 15 scholarships”, said Von der Leyen.

“And today we had a moment of promise. 21 member states promised to commit to scholarships. So this is great news and good news for the region,” she said.

/k.s/