A spokesperson for the European Commission said that Kosovo continues to fail to benefit from funds under the European Union’s Growth Plan due to the non-ratification of the agreement in the Assembly of Kosovo.
According to the Commission’s spokesperson, the only countries that have not benefited from the Growth Plan remain Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. While Bosnia is blocked by Republika Srpska, Kosovo has been blocked by its own political parties due to political deadlock. The Commission raised the alarm over the risk that Kosovo could lose EU funds.
“The European Commission stands ready to assist Western Balkan partners in accelerating the implementation of outstanding reforms, ensuring they are fulfilled within the grace period. The grace period for steps due at the end of 2024 expires at the end of 2026, while for steps due in mid-2025 it expires in mid-2026.
“For this reason, we are calling on partners to intensify efforts to implement reforms on time, ahead of upcoming reporting periods. Reforms must remain a priority for beneficiaries in order to fully exploit what the Growth Plan offers.”
In its response to RTV21, the European Commission stated that out of the six Western Balkan countries, only four have benefited from the Growth Plan so far. Serbia is assessed as the country that has benefited the most to date.
Since May 2024, the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans has delivered tangible benefits for the region and its citizens. Key reforms are being advanced, paving the way toward integration into the European Union. The Growth Plan is now fully under implementation.
To date, six Reform Agendas have been approved, and four Western Balkan beneficiaries have received pre-financing. Specifically:
- Albania: €99.3 million through the first and second payment requests, plus an additional €64.5 million in pre-financing.
- Montenegro: €18.3 million through the first and second payment requests, plus an additional €26.8 million in pre-financing.
- North Macedonia: €27.7 million through the first and second payment requests, plus an additional €52.5 million in pre-financing.
- Serbia: €56.5 million through the first payment request, plus an additional €111.0 million in pre-financing.
- Kosovo: Kosovo has not yet ratified the Fund and Loan Agreements; therefore, no payments have been disbursed.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: BiH has not yet ratified the Fund and Loan Agreements; therefore, no payments have been disbursed.
