European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has stated that there is consensus within the bloc on further enlargement, and that this opportunity must be seized by the Western Balkan countries. Otherwise, she emphasized, this window will not remain open forever.

Speaking at the opening of the Western Balkans–European Union Summit on the Growth Plan in Skopje, Kos also addressed the situation in Kosovo and the need to form a new government.

She referred to the outgoing Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, saying he has spent a great deal of energy on the European integration process, and that now new institutions are needed following the parliamentary elections held on February 9.

On the other hand, Kos praised Albania, saying it had made significant progress in opening EU accession chapters.

“There is now a consensus for further enlargement, which was not the case in the past. You have an opportunity that must be used, because it will not last forever, and I see visible progress. Albania – dear Mr. Rama – has opened three chapters in the past three months, and thank you for contributing to the enlargement process. If we continue this way, we could open all chapters this year. Montenegro closed one chapter last Friday. Bosnia and Herzegovina has approved the reform agenda, while we are waiting for a new government to be formed in Kosovo. Mr. Kurti, you have invested a lot of energy in the accession process. In Serbia, I hope we will be able to move forward, but this is an enlargement process,” she said.

Speaking about the EU’s Growth Plan for the six Western Balkan countries, Kos said she expects reforms to be implemented in order to access EU funding.

The Growth Plan is a new EU framework to accelerate reforms for European integration across the region, combining reforms with direct financial contributions from EU funds to beneficiary countries’ budgets, along with investment projects.

Through the implementation of these reforms, Kosovo could benefit from up to €882.6 million in EU funds. Of this total amount, €253.3 million are grants, while the remaining €629.3 million are long-term loans.

“We are here to help you and want to reward you for the work you have done so far. We can provide funding when you implement reforms. Therefore, we expect tangible progress before our next leaders' meeting. We will make the first round of disbursement, and the funds will amount to 50 percent and will fall under the negotiation framework for the Western Balkans. These will help you build roads, railways, solar parks, and digital infrastructure. This is what every competitive economy needs. Development and growth are in your hands,” she emphasized.

The disbursement of the first pre-financing tranche for Kosovo, in the amount of €61 million under the EU Growth Plan, is linked to the ratification of two international agreements in the Assembly – which, due to the failure to constitute the ninth legislature, cannot currently take place