The ambitions of Western Balkans leaders, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, to make the first payments from the EU’s Growth and Reform Package by the end of 2024 have not materialized. Moreover, these payments were not made at the beginning of 2025, and it remains unclear when they will occur, reports RFE.
Delays in payments, according to some diplomatic sources within the EU, are largely attributed to delays by the beneficiary countries in the region—specifically in completing internal procedures.
A source within the EU told Radio Free Europe, “It seems that this time the EU is more ready to make the payments from this package than the countries in the region are to receive them.”
The European Commission did not specify the exact phase for the payments, only reiterating that all countries in the region, except Bosnia and Herzegovina, have approved reform agendas by the EU, meeting the criteria for the advance payments of 7% of the total EU contribution.
The total financial package for the six Western Balkan countries—Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro—amounts to €6 billion for the period from 2024 to 2027.
Of this amount, €2 billion are non-repayable grants from the EU, while the remaining funds are in the form of favorable loans.
The goal of this ambitious EU financial package is to support economic growth in the region, thereby accelerating its European integration process.
Kosovo is expected to receive over €880 million from the package, with over €250 million allocated as non-repayable grants, while the rest will be provided as loans. The initial payment (7% advance) for Kosovo is expected to be around €61 million.
Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will receive funds based on GDP, population, and other criteria. However, it was clearly stated to the region’s countries that if they do not complete the required reforms in the next 1-2 years, the funds will be redistributed to other countries.
The EU also aims to foster regional cooperation and the development of a common market, gradually integrating it into the EU’s common market.
