“ ) Von der Leyeen Declaration on Growth Plan for the Balkans

The prime ministers of six Western Balkan countries have signed at the Berlin Process summit the declaration for an action plan for the common regional market, for the years 2025-2028, as well as agreements on improving access to higher education.

The new plan for the joint regional market is an integral part of the Balkan Growth Plan, which was approved by the European Union in May and is worth 6 billion euros, and aims to support the region's EU-related reforms.

EU member states approved on 11 October the reform agendas of five countries in the region, except Bosnia and Herzegovina, thus paving the way for the European Commission to make the first payments from the package in question.

According to an unofficial estimate, Kosovo could benefit more than 880m euros from the Growth Plan. Over 250m euros, it would be earmarked as free cash, while the rest as convenient loans.

Speaking at the media conference after the summit, Von der Leyen said the Growth Plan “is the most important”.

If you want to progress, cooperate with others. It is a process based on”, she said.

“I believe all Western Balkan countries should be part of the EU. Rule of law and economic integration are important. Therefore, the Berlin Process is a promoter of the common market for the Western Balkans, and it is very important that it function smoothly”, she said.