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EU energy relations with the Western Balkans
The six countries that make up the region known as the Western Balkans differ in terms of size, population, economy, energy mix and energy import dependency. At the same time, they share common elements because of their geographical proximity, and – in some cases – common policies adopted in the past. An example is their ageing infrastructure dating back to the 1970s, which was damaged during the conflicts in former Yugoslavia. Another common element (except for Albania) is their reliance on solid ...
Establecimiento del Mecanismo de Reforma y Crecimiento para los Balcanes Occidentales
El Mecanismo de Reforma y Crecimiento para los Balcanes Occidentales se ha diseñado para apoyar las reformas internas en los países de los Balcanes Occidentales proporcionando determinados beneficios de la pertenencia a la Unión incluso antes de la adhesión formal a la UE. El Mecanismo aportará hasta 6 000 millones EUR durante el período 2024-2027. Está previsto que el Parlamento someta a votación durante su período parcial de sesiones de abril II de 2024 el texto acordado en las negociaciones interinstitucionales ...
EU-Western Balkans relations: Macroeconomic situation and EU financial support
In 2003, at the Thessaloniki Summit, the European Council set out its determination to fully support the EU perspective of the Western Balkan countries. However, in the context of relatively limited progress in implementing reforms needed to align with the EU, none have joined since Croatia's accession in 2013, since when the region has been confronted by 'enlargement fatigue' and increasing Russian and Chinese interference. Responding to these challenges, European Commission President Ursula von ...
Western Balkans: Economic indicators and trade with EU
This infographic showcases major economic indicators for the six Western Balkan (WB) countries that are at various stages on the path towards the EU. All six exhibit a relatively consistent rise in GDP per capita, and they also show similar trends in falling unemployment rates. The female labour force participation rate hovers around 50 % (except for Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia, with lower rates), similar to the EU. EU trade in goods (imports and exports) with the Western Balkans has ...
Russia and the Western Balkans: Geopolitical confrontation, economic influence and political interference
The Western Balkan countries have emerged as a frontline in Russia's geopolitical confrontation with the West. While the Russian Federation has strong historical ties with the Western Balkans, and holds a certain soft-power attraction for the region, its influence and economic impact there are declining. Meanwhile, the EU and NATO presence in the region is advancing, and investment and aid from the EU-27 and other players, such as China, have been dwarfing Russian investment. Russia's 2022 invasion ...
Question Time: Strengthened EU Western Balkans enlargement policy
The revised enlargement methodology adopted in February 2020, and a new 'gradual approach' endorsed by the European Council in June 2022, are at the heart of EU accession negotiations with the Western Balkan countries and those countries' accession-related reforms. As the region's six countries differ in population size, political systems and history, their reform agenda and accession tempo also vary. With a budget of €14.2 billion for 2021 2027, the EU Instrument for pre-Accession Assistance (IPA ...
'Beyond enlargement': European Political Community and enlargement policy reform
The European Political Community (EPC) is a new 'platform for political coordination' (European Council) initially proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron. The Presidents of the European Council, Charles Michel, and European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, have both also supported such a proposal. The inaugural meeting of the EPC was held in Prague on 6 October. The 'EU+ summit' was hosted by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU and attended by 43 national delegations from the EU- ...
European Peace Facility: Ukraine and beyond
The European Peace Facility (EPF), operational since July 2021, finances activities with military implications, and supports the armies of partner countries and EU Member States with infrastructure, training and equipment. Reacting to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, for the first time in its history the EU has now mobilised funds for the delivery by Member States of military equipment, including lethal weaponry, to assist a partner country.
Nueva estrategia de la Unión para la ampliación
Aunque la integración europea de los Balcanes Occidentales y de Turquía sigue paralizada, la guerra en Ucrania y el difícil entorno geopolítico han dado un nuevo impulso al proceso de ampliación, en un intento de garantizar su continuidad, coherencia, credibilidad e impacto. En junio de 2022, los dirigentes de la Unión aprobaron la «perspectiva europea» de Ucrania, Moldavia y Georgia. Por su parte, la perspectiva de los países de los Balcanes Occidentales de un futuro europeo ya había sido aprobada ...
Tracking the EU Commissioners’ commitments - Von der Leyen Commission, 2019 - 2024: Olivér Várhelyi
This briefing follows up the commitments made by the commissioner since 2019.