Economic and investment plan for the western Balkans

SUMMARY OF:

European Commission communication — An economic and investment plan for the western Balkans

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE COMMUNICATION?

It presents a plan that aims to spur the long-term economic recovery of the western Balkans region, support a green and digital transition and foster regional integration and convergence with the European Union (EU).

KEY POINTS

• The European Commission launched the plan on the same day as the 2020 enlargement package (see summary). The plan aims to spur the long-term recovery of the region, enable a green and digital transition, foster economic regional cooperation, boost economic growth and support reforms required to move forward on the EU path.
• It is an investment package mobilising up to €9 billion of Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) III funding between 2021 and 2027 to support economic convergence with the EU, primarily through investments in and support for competitiveness and inclusive growth, sustainable connectivity and the twin green and digital transitions. The Commission proposes that the large majority of this support would be directed towards key productive investments and sustainable infrastructure in the western Balkans. The investment capacity of the region should also be boosted by the mobilisation of a new Western Balkans Guarantee Facility.
• The plan includes 10 flagship investments to support the green and digital transitions, these cover:
  • support for rail and road connections in the region
  • renewable energy
  • the transition from coal
  • a renovation wave
  • waste and wastewater management
  • digital infrastructure
  • investment in the competitiveness of the private sector
  • youth guarantee.
• To maximise the effectiveness of the European Green Deal (see summary), a green agenda for the western Balkans accompanies the plan. The agenda envisages action in five areas:
  • climate action, including decarbonisation, energy and mobility
  • a circular economy, addressing in particular waste, recycling, sustainable production and the efficient use of resources
  • biodiversity, aiming to protect and restore the natural wealth of the region
  • fighting air, water and soil pollution
  • sustainable food systems and rural areas.

BACKGROUND

• Enhanced EU engagement with the western Balkans (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — An economic and investment plan for the western Balkans (COM(2020) 641 final, 6.10.2020)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 2020 — Communication on EU enlargement policy (COM(2020) 660 final, 6.10.2020)

Commission staff working document — Guidelines for the implementation of the green agenda for the western Balkans — Accompanying the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — An economic and investment plan for the western Balkans (SWD(2020) 223 final, 6.10.2020)

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Enhancing the accession process — A credible EU perspective for the western Balkans (COM(2020) 57 final, 5.2.2020)

last update 08.06.2021