New €6 billion growth plan to bring Western Balkans closer to joining the EU

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia will benefit from a new €6 billion growth plan for the Western Balkans. The plan will bring to the region some of the benefits of EU membership ahead of accession, boost economic growth and accelerate much-needed socio-economic convergence. The growth plan should significantly speed up the enlargement process and the region’s economic growth.

The new growth plan is based on four pillars:

1. Enhancing economic integration of the region into the EU single market
2. Boosting economic integration within the Western Balkans through the Common Regional Market
3. Speeding up fundamental reforms
4. Increasing financial assistance to support the reforms

Western Balkan partners will have to deliver on key reforms to receive the allocated funds. They will be invited to prepare a reform agenda based on existing recommendations from the enlargement reports as well as the Economic reform programmes. These agendas will be assessed and adopted by the Commission.

Enlargement remains a key policy of the European Union. Full EU membership for the Western Balkans is in the Union's very own political, security and economic interest, and will answer people’s aspirations in the region.

For more information

Factsheet on the new growth plan for the Western Balkans

A Stronger Europe in the World

Press release: Commission presents a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans including €6 billion in grants and loans to accelerate economic convergence with the EU

EU and the Western Balkans

Enlargement policy

Questions and answers on the new growth plan for the Western Balkans