Members of the European Parliament’s committees on foreign affairs and budget have officially adopted a stance on the Western Balkan Reform and Growth Instrument, proposing €6 billion in additional financial assistance to the region from 2024 to 2027.
During the session of the two committees, a decision was also made to enter into inter-institutional negotiations with the Council of the European Union. David McAllister, the Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, expressed his anticipation for the negotiations to commence this week, highlighting the limited time available to reach an agreement within the current mandate of the European Parliament.
The European Parliament’s statement emphasized the support of MEPs for rigorous reforms and the reinforcement of EU values in the Western Balkans, with a focus on transparency, the rule of law, and economic integration.
On March 6th, ambassadors from EU member states agreed on the Council of the EU’s negotiating mandate regarding the Western Balkan Reform and Growth Instrument. This agreement will enable the Council of the EU’s Presidency to begin negotiations on the final text of the instrument with the European Parliament, as announced by the Council of the EU.
Photo: Frédéric Marvaux, EU 2024 – Source : EP