EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has called on the six Western Balkan countries to move in sync regarding the implementation of reforms under the EU Growth Plan, reports KosovaPress. According to her, it is important not to create gaps among the six countries in the region. She also stated that June 2026 is an important deadline for implementing the Growth Plan, as the one-year waiting period for unmet reforms will expire.
The Growth Plan is a new EU framework aimed at accelerating reforms for the European integration of the entire region. It links reforms with direct financial contributions from EU funds to the budgets of beneficiary countries and investment projects.
Kos, speaking at a press conference following the regional summit on the Growth Plan held on Friday in Tirana, said that all Western Balkan countries should become part of the EU, as a deserved reward for aligning with EU legislation and values.
“Our objective is for all Western Balkan countries to move forward in sync, and we do not want new gaps to form among the six of you in the region. After all, all Western Balkan countries belong to the European Union and should be part of it. All Western Balkan countries should become full EU member states as a deserved reward for aligning with EU legislation and values. Let’s focus today on how to accelerate the work… In June, the one-year transitional period for unmet reforms from the second round of reporting will expire. For this reason, I urge all regional leaders to work harder on reforms,” she emphasized.
On the other hand, the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, said that the summit was productive, confirming that the Growth Plan is a safe bridge toward the European common market.
“Today I can say that we have once again concluded a productive meeting with concrete next steps that further bring the region closer to the European Union. This confirms again that the Growth Plan is a fast and safe bridge toward the European common market,” Rama declared.
The summit was also attended by Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti. Kosovo has not yet benefited from the Growth Plan, as the disbursement of initial pre-financing funds is linked to the approval of two international agreements in Parliament, which, due to Kosovo’s political crisis, were not approved.
By implementing these reforms, Kosovo is expected to receive up to €882.6 million in EU funds. Of this total, €253.3 million are grants, while the remaining €629.3 million are long-term loans.
