The Western Balkans Facility, a key financial instrument to bring the region closer to the EU

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament welcomes today’s approval by the plenary of the interinstitutional deal on establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, a financial envelope of 6 billion euros to be allocated between 2024 and 2027 in grants and loans, within the framework of the MFF revision offering support to the countries in the region on their accession path.

Our political group insisted on a number of key provisions to make sure the beneficiaries of these funds stay aligned with the EU values, ensuring protection and promotion of human rights, including but not limited to the rights of minorities such as LGBTQ communities, and the rule of law.

Promotion of gender equality, empowerment of women and youth, participation of civil society in decision making processes, reinforcing cybersecurity and resilience against disinformation, fight with corruption, fraud and organised crime, as well as importance of reducing strategic dependencies of the region were amongst our priorities as well. Renew Europe achieved to include full alignment with the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy under the objectives of the Facility. We also managed to secure the transparency of the process allowing appropriate political and budgetary scrutiny.

Renew Europe MEP, Fabienne Keller (L'Europe Ensemble, France), shadow rapporteur on this file in the Committee on Budgets, said:

“I welcome the adoption of the Western Balkans Facility Agreement. This support instrument will enable us to forge closer links with our partners in order to create a stronger union. It is all the more symbolic to be voting this text on the day we celebrate 20 years of enlargement!”

Renew Europe MEP, Georgios Kyrtsos (Independent, Greece), shadow rapporteur on the Facility for the Western Balkans in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, added:

“I applaud today's adoption of the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, particularly noteworthy as we reflect on 20 years of enlargement. This initiative will pave the way for our partners to attain enhanced socioeconomic alignment, which holds profound significance, especially for the youth!”