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Author: WeBalkans

Statement by President von der Leyen on the 2023 Enlargement Package and the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

Good afternoon,

 

Today, the College adopted the enlargement report. The protests on Maidan started now ten years ago. The Maidan protests, where people were shot because they wrapped themselves in a European flag. And now, ten years later, today is a historic day because today the Commission recommends that the Council opens accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. The Commission also recommends the opening of EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved. And the Commission recommends that the Council grants Georgia the status of a candidate country on the understanding that certain reform steps are taken.

 

Let me focus on these four countries: First on Ukraine. Ukraine continues to face tremendous hardship and tragedy provoked by Russia’s war of aggression. And yet, Ukrainians are deeply reforming their country, even as they are fighting a war that is existential for them. Ukraine has completed – I was there over the weekend and was convinced of it – well over 90% of the necessary steps that we set out last year in our report. Just to give you an idea: Main progress has been achieved on the constitutional justice reform; the selection of the High Council of Justice; the Anti-Corruption Programme; progress against money laundering; important measures to curb the oligarchs’ grip on the public life; the new media law; and progress on national minorities. The remaining reforms are already on their way – that is good –, and the Commission commends these efforts. On this basis, we have recommended today that the Council opens accession negotiations. We also recommend that the Council adopts a negotiating framework once Ukraine has carried out the ongoing reforms. On that, we will then report to the Council by March 2024.

 

Moldova is not facing a kinetic war, but Moldova is the subject of constant destabilisation efforts against its democracy. It also suffers the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Moldova is welcoming a large number of Ukrainian refugees. Moldova is facing disruptions and blackmail related to its energy system. But like Ukraine, Moldova has undertaken significant reform efforts, for example in the area of the judiciary. It has stepped up considerably the investigative work related to corruption and organised crime. It has made legislative changes to fight vested interests. Here, too, the Commission recommends that the Council opens accession negotiations. Some remaining measures have to be finished. On this basis, here too, the Council could then finalise the negotiating framework. And the Commission will report on the progress to the Council by March 2024.

 

Now on Bosnia and Herzegovina: we recognise a number of positive political and legal steps. For example, the swift entry into office of a new Council of Ministers in January 2023; the commitment of political parties to the goal of accession, have brought without any doubt positive results. There is progress in the fight against organised crime, money laundering and terrorism, for example. But we also note with concern the various unconstitutional laws adopted by the representatives of the Republika Srpska entity. Against this backdrop, the Commission recommends to the Council the opening of accession negotiations once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved. And here too, the Commission will report to the Council on progress by March 2024.

 

Finally, with regard to Georgia, here the College fully supports the genuine aspirations of the overwhelming majority of its citizens to join the European Union. These aspirations need to be better mirrored by the authorities who should engage more with the opposition and civil society on matters of national interest. And further progress is needed by the government on the 12 priorities identified last year before candidate status can be granted. Now the Commission also acknowledges a number of positive steps. For example, the opposition’s scrutiny on parliamentary work has been increased; an action plan for de-oligarchisation was adopted; the personalised approach was withdrawn; and the Anti-corruption Bureau was set up. Therefore, the Commission recommends granting candidate status to Georgia on the understanding that the government takes important reform steps.

 

In general, to conclude, enlargement is a vital policy for the European Union. This has been my main message since the beginning of my mandate. Completing our Union is the call of history, it is the natural horizon of the European Union. The citizens of countries that want to join are Europeans – just like those of today’s Union. Because we all know that geography, history and common values bind us. So, completing our Union also has a strong economic and geopolitical logic. If you look at the history of the last enlargement rounds, you see that they have shown that there are enormous benefits both for those countries which access the European Union and the European Union itself. Basically, we all win. You can see that for the new members, their citizens and businesses, there is access to our four freedoms, access to our Single Market, citizens can travel, businesses have new markets. And all of this is a powerful lever to increase prosperity and therefore stability in these countries.

 

But for the European Union itself, the advantages are also very clear and impressive. The expansion of our Single Market brings economies of scale for our businesses, increases our competitiveness and therefore the strength of our Single Market. Our history of enlargement has been an unprecedented economic success story. But if you also look at the global attractiveness of the European Union, enlargement has increased it. And it has, of course, also increased our leverage as a trading partner. For example, the common purchasing of gas at 27 makes a huge difference for the success in this area. Enlargement is also an investment in our security. Because integrating new members in the European Union also shields them from foreign interference, and it therefore stabilises our neighbourhood. In times where we see the rules-based international order increasingly called into question, of course a larger and stronger European Union gives us a stronger voice in the world. In sum, enlargement is a unique opportunity both for the countries aspiring to join the European Union and, of course, for us. It is a driver for peace and prosperity that make our Union so special.

 

Thank you.

Commission adopts 2023 Enlargement package

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Today, the European Commission adopted the 2023 Enlargement Package, providing a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and for the first time also Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia on their respective paths towards accession to the European Union. In particular, the report focuses on the progress in the implementation of fundamental reforms, as well as on providing clear guidance on the reform priorities ahead. Accession is and will remain a merit-based process, fully dependent on the objective progress achieved by each country.  
Western Balkans  
Progress on EU accession reforms has largely stalled, as Montenegro has suffered from deep polarisation and political instability in the reporting period. The EU welcomes the constitution of the new parliament and the formation of the government, which we expect to swiftly demonstrate its capacity and commitment to Montenegro’s EU path and deliver on EU accession related reforms. Overall, progress is in the accession negotiations will depend on reforms in the area of rule of law (i.e. meeting the interim benchmarks set out in Chapters 23 and 24). Montenegro continues to fully align with the Common Foreign Security Policy.  
Serbia continued the implementation of EU accession related reforms, including in the area of rule of law. Serbia started implementing the 2022 constitutional amendments to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and adopted new media legislation. The implementation of the latter can significantly improve the regulatory environment. However, further amendments will be needed to be fully in line with the EU acquis and European standards. Serbia needs to improve, as a matter of priority, its alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including restrictive measures and statements on Russia. Further work and political commitment are also needed to implement reforms in the area of rule of law. The Commission’s assessment remains that Serbia has technically fulfilled the benchmarks to open cluster 3 (competitiveness and inclusive growth). Serbia must fully cooperate and take all the necessary steps to ensure accountability for the violent attack on Kosovo Police of 24 September and the attack on KFOR on 29 May. On the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, whilst an Agreement was reached in the EU-facilitated Dialogue, both Serbia and Kosovo are yet to start the implementation of their respective obligations, which are binding for the Parties and a key part of their European paths.  
In North Macedonia, the authorities have consistently stated that EU accession remains their strategic goal. North Macedonia has continued to fully align with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The country has also made some progress in in the area of justice, freedom and security, including the fight against organised crime and the management of migration. As a negotiating country, North Macedonia needs to deliver on the implementation of EU related reforms, including in the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organised crime, public administration reform, including management of public finances, and public procurement. North Macedonia has committed to launch and achieve the relevant constitutional changes as a matter of priority, with a view to include citizens who are part of other people. The screening process of the EU acquis has progressed smoothly, and the authorities have shown a high level of commitment. The Commission presented to Council the screening reports on the “fundamentals cluster” for North Macedonia in July and looks forward to a swift follow up, with a view to opening negotiations on this cluster by the end of the year.  
Albania continued to demonstrate its determination to implement EU reforms and to make progress in reforms under the “fundamentals cluster”. Continued full alignment with EU’s CFSP was also a strong signal of the country’s strategic choice of EU accession. Further efforts are needed on freedom of expression, minority issues and property rights, as well as in key areas of the rule of law, such as the fight against corruption and organised crime. The screening process of the EU acquis has progressed smoothly, and the authorities have shown a high level of commitment. The Commission presented to Council the screening reports on the “fundamentals cluster” for Albania in July and looks forward to a swift follow up. It aims to open accession negotiations on cluster 1 (fundamentals) by the end of the year.  
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, last year’s candidate status brought a much-needed positive dynamic. A new government has been set up swiftly after elections and has started to deliver on reforms, specifically through the amendments introducing integrity checks in the judiciary. Yet, further efforts are needed. This includes adopting important rule of law and judicial reforms and moving forward with constitutional and electoral reforms, which are of utmost priority to ensure equal rights for all citizens. It is also important to preserve the constitutional order of the country. The secessionist and authoritarian measures introduced in the Republika Srpska entity are not in line with the EU path. Further efforts are required for Bosnia and Herzegovina to fulfil the key priorities set out in the Commission’s Opinion on its member application. Therefore, the Commission recommends the opening of EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved.  
Kosovo remained committed to its European path. It continued to voluntarily fully align with the EU’s CFSP, including on condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to adopt restrictive measures against it. The reporting period witnessed legislative achievements, including an important electoral reform. However, more work needs to be done, including on the action plan on justice reforms. On 1 January 2024, visa liberalisation for Kosovo will enter into force. The situation in the north of Kosovo has been affected by several crises, the latest one being the violent attack against Kosovo police on 24 September 2023. On the normalisation of relations with Serbia, whilst an Agreement was reached in the EU-facilitated Dialogue, both Kosovo and Serbia are yet to start the implementation of their respective obligations, which are binding for the Parties and a key part of their European paths.  
Next steps
It is now for the Council to consider today’s recommendations of the Commission and take decisions on the steps ahead in the enlargement process.

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

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Today, the European Commission adopted a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, with the aim of bringing some of the benefits of membership to the region in advance of accession, boost economic growth and accelerate much needed socio-economic convergence. The objective should be to enable partners to step up reforms and investments to significantly accelerate the speed of the enlargement process and the growth of their economies. For this, a new €6 billion Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans has been proposed for the period 2024-2027. Payments will happen only after the fulfilment of agreed reforms.

 

The new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is based on four pillars, aimed at:

 
  1. Enhancing economic integration with the European Union’s single market, subject to the Western Balkans aligning with single market rules and opening the relevant sectors and areas to all their neighbours at the same time, in line with the Common Regional Market. Seven priority actions are suggested:
 
    1. Free movement of goods;
    2. Free movement of services and workers;
    3. Access to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA);
    4. Facilitation of Road transport;
    5. Integration and de-carbonisation of Energy markets;
    6. Digital Single Market;
    7. Integration into industrial supply chain
 
  1. Boosting economic integration within the Western Balkans through the Common Regional Market, based on EU rules and standards, which could potentially add 10% to their economies;
 
  1. Accelerating fundamental reforms, including on the fundamentals cluster, supporting the Western Balkans’ path towards EU membership, improving sustainable economic growth including through attracting foreign investments and strengthening regional stability;
 
  1. Increasing financial assistance to support the reforms through a Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans for the period 2024-2027, a proposal for a new instrument worth €6 billion, consisting of €2 billion in grants and €4 billion in concessional loans, with payment conditioned on the Western Balkans’ partners fulfilling specific socio-economic and fundamental reforms.
 

As part of the Growth Plan, every Western Balkan partner will be invited to prepare a Reform Agenda based on existing recommendations including from the annual Enlargement Package and the countries’ Economic Reform Programmes (ERP). This Reform Agenda will be consulted with, assessed and adopted by the Commission.

 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “With today’s adoption of the new €6 billion Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, we are bringing the Western Balkans economies closer to the EU. The potential of this Growth Plan is extraordinary. This Growth Plan could double the economy of the Western Balkans in the next 10 years. With its combination of reforms and investments, it will allow the Western Balkan to benefit soon from key areas of our single market,  including free movement of goods,  services and workers, the single euro payments area, transport, energy and the digital single market.”

 

Next steps

It is now for the European Parliament and the Council to examine the proposal for the Facility in the framework of the MFF mid-term review package. Once adopted, the six Western Balkans partners will be invited to submit their individual reform agendas laying out the socio-economic and fundamental reforms they will undertake to spur growth and convergence under the Growth Plan during the period of 2024 – 2027. Serbia and Kosovo need engage to constructively in the EU-facilitated Dialogue on normalisation of relations, led by the High Representative, as necessary pre-condition.

 

Background

 

Economic convergence is an essential element in getting the Western Balkan countries closer to the EU. Currently, the level of convergence between the Western Balkan partners and the EU is not progressing fast enough, with average GDP per capita in purchasing power for our Western Balkan partners standing at between 30% and 50% of the EU average.

Integration with the EU’s single market has been the main driver of economic growth for all countries that joined the EU. The positive impact on a country’s GDP and income levels that arise from the integration with the EU’s single market, has been clearly demonstrated in the past.

YEAs Organize Media Information Literacy Workshops in Serbia and Montenegro

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On October 24th and 25th, Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) successfully conducted a series of Media Information Literacy (MIL) workshops in Novi Sad and Niš, Serbia, as well as in Podgorica, Montenegro. During these workshops, YEAs had the valuable opportunity to share their knowledge on media-related topics, journalism, and various aspects of media literacy with their peers. The events were made possible thanks to the dedication and efforts of Young European Ambassadors including Bojana Maraš, Anđela Micić, Maja Trajković, Anja Kafedžiska, Teodora Cekić, and Aleksandra Grbović Bitić.

Serbian YEAs Explore the EU-Funded Project at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences

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On October 27th, Serbian Young European Ambassadors (YEAs), Janja Jankovic (@janjajankovic) and Sava Dokmanovic (@sava_dok), embarked on a visit to the newly constructed Faculty of Organizational Sciences building (@fon_bg), a project jointly financed by the European Investment Bank. During their visit, Janja and Sava had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facilities at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, which included modern classrooms, meeting rooms, amphitheaters, and advanced equipment. They engaged in discussions with both professors and students, delving into the positive impact the new building has had on the quality of education, enhancing the learning experience, and enriching everyday campus life.

 

EU SHAI Project transforms lives through social housing

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A project in Serbia, funded by the European Union, is aiding vulnerable communities in achieving social inclusion.

Miljana, a 27-year-old resident of a Roma settlement in Svilajnac, has her share of life’s challenges. After      graduating from a trade high school, she found herself in the role of a single mother to her seven-year-old daughter, Petra. Their previous dwelling, a small, run-down house, offered far from ideal living conditions. However, recently, a positive change came into their lives. They moved into a newly constructed social housing building just across the narrow street from their old neighborhood. This seemingly small transition made a world of difference in their living conditions. Their new apartment is not only spacious but also fully furnished with brand-new furniture and modern household appliances.

 

Miljana is a beneficiary of the “New Homes and Inclusive Environment for Vulnerable Categories of the Population in Svilajnac” project, which is part of the EU Support for Social Housing and Active Inclusion (EU SHAI) programme. Beyond providing her with a comfortable new home, this initiative has also empowered her towards financial independence and social inclusion. Miljana actively participated in workshops aimed at enhancing her employability, including training to obtain her category B driving license.

“The active inclusion measures play a pivotal role in ensuring the project’s sustainability, as it is meticulously designed and implemented in alignment with the unique needs of families and individual family members.”

Regarding social housing, the project employs three methods of support: constructing new apartments and houses, acquiring pre-existing houses for beneficiaries, and renovating houses already owned by beneficiaries. To date, a total of 127 families, comprising 361 family members (171 males and 190 females), have successfully transitioned to their new residences in newly constructed social housing units located in Cacak, Svilajnac, Loznica, Vrnjac     ka Banja, Ljubovija, Sabac, and Raska. Additionally, 14 family houses have been built in Koceljeva and Zagubica, accommodating the families that now call them home. Furthermore, the project has procured 56 village houses and completed the renovation of 92 houses, all aimed at improving housing conditions for those in need.

Dragana Milosevic, the Project Manager of the EU SHAI programme, elaborates on the comprehensive support offered to families selected for social housing. This support is intricately tailored to the specific needs of each family member, determined through a thorough assessment following the social housing selection process. She states, “For instance, if a family comprises four members requiring support, we provide assistance accordingly. In cases where an individual has unique needs, such as a person with a disability in need of a wheelchair or, in one instance, a young boy attending a high school in another town requiring dormitory fees, we covered those expenses, enabling him to complete his high school education. Some individuals might need to attend specific courses; for instance, we offered welding courses, a highly sought-after profession today, and facilitated their participation.”

To date, the project has extended its support to 324 families, encompassing over 1,000 individuals, through an array of active inclusion measures. Among these, 167 children have received educational support, while 104 adult men and 221 women have undergone educational training. Furthermore, 146 families have benefited from income-generating grants, 42 beneficiaries have been temporarily engaged in work, and 29 beneficiaries have become self-employed. Psychosocial support has been administered to 135 families, involving 391 members. Additionally, approximately 280 families have received assistance in the form of furniture and household appliances. Dragana underscores the significance of the active inclusion component, stating, “It plays a pivotal role in ensuring the project’s sustainability, as it is meticulously designed and implemented in alignment with the unique needs of families and individual family members.”

“The EU SHAI project has brought about substantial changes in people’s lives, and they are keenly aware of this transformation.”

About the project

The European Union Support to Social Housing and Active Inclusion Programme (EU SHAI) is designed to enhance the implementation of social inclusion policies in Serbia and provide sustainable housing solutions accompanied with active inclusion measures for the most vulnerable population.  The European Union (EU) has allocated 27 million Euros through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) 2018 for the 63 month-long implementations of the Programme, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been selected as the implementing partner.

Dragana emphasizes the utmost importance of supporting education and professional advancement among beneficiaries, recognizing that merely providing social housing does not comprehensively address their challenges. She elaborates, “To enhance their social standing, individuals must augment their skills and education. By improving their employment prospects, they can transition from being recipients of government social support.” She further notes, “The EU SHAI programme      has brought about substantial changes in people’s lives, and they are keenly aware of this transformation.”

2024 call for Creative Europe Networks open

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With a budget of over €39.7 million for the period 2024 – 2027, the Creative Europe Networks call will foster projects implemented by networks of organisations with membership in multiple countries that have a shared mission, governance rules, members’ rights, and obligations.

 

Supported projects will aim to enhance the capacity of European cultural and creative sectors to nurture talents, face common challenges, innovate, prosper and generate jobs and growth.

 

The action is expected to support about 30 networks covering different cultural and creative sectors.

Creative Europe 2024 calls for Platforms and Pan-European Cultural Entities open

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The deadline of the two calls aiming to support emerging artists and the professional development of young musicians is 31 January 2024.

 

With a budget of €47.4 million for the period 2024 – 2027, the Call for European Platforms for the Promotion of Emerging Artists will support projects that give visibility to emerging European artists and their works outside their own borders. It encourages artistic creation and the professional development of artists, the participation and development of audiences. The action will also support projects that address sustainable development, inclusion and the working conditions of artists.

 

With a budget of €7.2 million for the period 2024-2027, the Call for Pan-European Cultural Entities will support orchestras – whose aim is to offer training, professionalisation, performance and touring opportunities to highly talented young artists. The action should support up to 5 projects with broad geographical coverage.

BIRN Serbia Holds Training Course on Reporting Digital Rights

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BIRN Serbia brought together 13 journalists and representatives of civil society organisations at Serbia’s Divcibare mountain resort from October 26 to 28 to help them improve their skills in investigating and reporting on digital rights violations, online manipulations, propaganda in the digital arena and the use and misuse of artificial intelligence. During the three-day course, the participants gained new knowledge and acquired skills to report on digital rights and issues related to the violation of freedoms in the online sphere in Serbia.

 

The training course was organised as part of the ‘Reporting on Digital Rights and Freedoms’ project implemented by several BIRN offices in the region and funded by the European Union.

Erasmus+ Days 2023: more than 9,000 local events celebrated learning and diversity

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The 7th edition of Erasmus+ Days took place between 9 and 14 October 2023, with more than 9,000 events worldwide. This year’s significant increase in participation is a sign of the programme’s success and far-reaching impact. There were over 2,000 more events held than during Erasmus+ Days last year. Special efforts were made by the Erasmus+ National Agencies and the National Erasmus+ Offices so that beneficiaries could share their success stories both in person and online.

 

Events, ranging from festivals and conferences to exhibitions and sports activities, were open to the public.  They were organised by a wide range of Erasmus+ beneficiaries, including schools, universities, vocational education institutions, and youth organisations. Erasmus+ Days 2023 brought people together to share knowledge, exchange cultures, and celebrate diversity. Stories and personal experiences from people around the world who took part in the actions were shared on social media.