The European Commission on Wednesday adopted a Growth Plan aimed at integrating the Western Balkans into the EU’s single market and strengthening regional economic ties to accelerate their path to membership.
The plan seeks to deepen EU-related reforms and increase pre-accession funding to speed up economic convergence. The region’s economic output is currently around 35% of the EU average.
“The Growth Plan has the potential to double the size of Western Balkan economies within the next decade,” the Commission said in a statement.
A key element of the plan is the Reform and Growth Facility, a €6 billion package for 2024-2027, comprising €2 billion in grants and €4 billion in concessional loans. Disbursements will be tied to the implementation of structural reforms.
Four-Pillar Strategy
The Growth Plan is structured around four pillars:
- Closer Economic Integration – The Western Balkans will gain enhanced access to the EU’s single market in seven priority areas, including free movement of goods, services, and workers, access to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), energy market integration, and participation in EU supply chains.
- Stronger Regional Cooperation – The plan reinforces the Common Regional Market (CRM), modeled on EU standards, to reduce market fragmentation, attract investment, and boost competitiveness. The Commission warned that substantial EU market access depends on regional economic integration.
- Accelerating Reforms – Western Balkans countries must implement an EU-approved Reform Agenda focused on governance, economic policies, and regional stability to align with membership criteria.
- Increased Financial Assistance – The Reform and Growth Facility will supplement existing EU funds under IPA III, with allocations linked to reform progress.
The Commission aims to use the plan to fast-track the region’s accession, delivering economic benefits before full membership.
