Olivér Várhelyi, EU Enlargement Commissionaire
Belgrade, Podgorica, Priština, Sarajevo, Skopje, Tirana. Sic capital cities of the WB, at the heart of Europe, but with double travelling and trade between them and other European cities. However, connection is crucial: for people’s lives, for businesses and economies of the region, now more than ever.
These are the main reasons why European commission has adopted a comprehensive European and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. The Economic and Investment Plan sets out a substantial investment package mobilizing up to €9 billion of funding for the region. It will support sustainable connectivity, human capital, competitiveness and inclusive growth, and the twin green and digital transition. In addition, it aims to enhance investment capacity of the region thanks to the new Guarantee instrument for WB. Support through the new Western Balkans Guarantee facility, under the EU External Action Guarantee and the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus, is expected to mobilize potentially investments of up to €20 billion in the next decade.
The Plan identifies ten investment flagships to support major road and railway connections in the region, renewable energy and the transition from coal, renovation of public and private buildings to increase the energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, waste and waste water management infrastructure, as well as the roll out of broadband infrastructure. Other flagships include increased investments in the private sector to boost competitiveness and innovation, in particular of small and medium sized companies and a Youth Guarantee.
In parallel to the Economic Investment plan to support the region, the Commission has presented guidelines for implementing the Green Agenda in the Western Balkans, expected to be adopted at the Western Balkans Summit in Sofia in November 2020. It foresees actions around five pillars. These are (i) climate action, including de-carbonisation, energy and mobility, (ii) circular economy, addressing in particular waste, recycling, sustainable production and efficient use of resources, (iii), biodiversity, aiming to protect and restore the natural wealth of the region, (iv), fighting air, water and soil pollution and (iv) sustainable food systems and rural areas. Digitization will be a key enabler for the above five pillars in line with the concept of the dual green and digital transition.
International financial institutions are ready to endorse our ambitious plan.
Better connecting the economies of the Western Balkans within the region and with the EU requires a strong commitment from the Western Balkans to implement fundamental reforms, deepen regional economic integration and develop a common regional market on the basis of the EU acquis in order to make the region a more attractive investment area.
The Commission also adopted today the 2020 Enlargement Package, its annual assessment of the implementation of fundamental reforms in the Western Balkan partners and Turkey. These assessments are accompanied by recommendations and guidance on these reform priorities, which remain at the heart of the EU accession process. The implementation of these reforms, in particular in the rule of law area, will be crucial for the success of this economic plan and fostering sustainable economic development in the region.
Future of the WB is in the EU. When this Commission took office, it was its priority from the first day to increase our engagement with the Western Balkans countries and to engage directly with them, not only when it comes to enlargement, but also on how to speed up the reforms and how to speed up the economic catch up with the region.
The new Plan is the third pillar of my approach. Not only will I support long-term social and economic recovery of the region, but I will enhance cooperation and trade and give wings to the untapped economic potential in the region.
I’m travelling to WB this week to personally present the new Economic and Investment Plan to our partners. Hopefully, I will get the support for the implementation of the Plan.
