EU Council, Parliament reach prelim deal on 6 bln euro W. Balkans growth plan

The facility will comprise some 2 billion euro in grants and 4 billion euro in loans, covering the period 2024-2027, aimed at supporting EU-related reforms and fostering economic alignment with the EU, the Council said in a press release on Thursday.

The provisional agreement is yet to be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council.

The EC in November adopted a growth plan for the Western Balkans focusing on four pillars: enhancing economic integration with the EU's single market, fostering regional economic cooperation, expediting fundamental reforms, and providing financial support through the proposed facility.

North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are officially recognised as EU membership candidates. Kosovo submitted its EU membership application in December 2022.

($ = 0.923 euro)