Western Balkan leaders and EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, are meeting in Skopje. Their focus is on reforms needed to unlock funding under the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The goal is to bring visible benefits to citizens before EU accession.
The European Commission announced that Kos will meet with leaders of the six Western Balkan countries during her two-day visit. Two panels will be held — one on the Growth Plan, the other on practical mechanisms and support for its implementation.
The summit will also explore new cooperation areas. These include consumer protection, tourism, and the Roadmap to the EU Single Market. This aims to boost economic integration with the EU.
The Commission will propose an investment package worth €87.7 million under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). This should attract nearly €500 million in private investments for clean energy projects across the region.
The Growth Plan offers benefits to EU candidate countries that are progressing with reforms. Participants will review the current status and discuss next steps.
The plan aims to strengthen the region’s economy and support their path toward EU membership. It includes €6 billion in support — €2 billion in grants and €4 billion in favorable loans — to fund reforms in energy, transport, and digital development. The ultimate goal is more prosperity and stability in the Western Balkans.