EP seeks additional conditions for use of tools from EU growth plan, that is precondition for Kosovo

To be formalised, this plan is necessary interilateral reconciliation with the European Union (BE), which also requires approval by the European Parliament. Parliament is under pressure to approve this decision as soon as possible because in April it will hold the last plenary session with this composition, ahead of the new EP elections in June.

The legislative resolution proposal for regulation for establishing the reform plan and economic growth was also presented Tuesday. This was debated the same day during a joint meeting of the EP's foreign policy commissions and Buzhet.

The European Parliament, along with provisions proposed earlier by the Commission, has also called for additional measures, with which the use of financial means from this plan would be conditioned in order to better ensure the protection of European Union interests.

Among the main conditions for the use of these tools are rule of law, respect for human rights, and respect for fundamental and democratic values.

The European Parliament has demanded that, among other things, the use of means be conditioned even with the support of EU positions on foreign and security policy, including sanctions against Russia.

“Another precondition will be adapting to Union's common foreign and security policy, including the adoption of restrictive measures against Russia, even with EU visa requirements for third countries”, the amendment proposed by the European Parliament is an additional condition for the use of these means.

This change proposal may affect mainly in Serbia's case, as it is the only country of the Western Balkans region, which has not backed EU sanctions on Russia. But, to be included in conditions, it must also be accepted by the EU Council, where the bloc's member states decide.

Kosovo and Serbia will be required specifically to engage constructively in normalising relations.

“The precondition will be for Serbia and Kosovo to engage constructively in normalising relations between them with the aim of fully implementing relevant obligations that come from the road to normalisation and the Annex for implementation, as well as all agreements from the past in dialogue and engaging in negotiations on the comprehensive agreement for normalisation of relations”, the regulation proposal said.

The European Parliament has proposed that there be added a clarification required “clear measurable results and concrete results”.

Under that plan, the Western Balkans region has an additional 6 billion euros available for economic growth and EU reforms. These tools will have an added condition and will be used only if they are respected.

Of that amount, 2 billion will be in the form of nonre return grants to beneficiaries, while 4 billion will be favourable loans for which the EU would guarantee.

Under the European Commission's proposal, half of the means from the growth plan in the Western Balkans region will go into the framework for investment, because existing tools available are not considered sufficient to attract adequate investments. The rest will go directly to the country's budget to finance some of the necessary reforms.

The European Commission believes this plan will greatly change the Balkans and will be the generator for considerable economic growth, and will help these countries' progress towards EU integration.

The European Parliament requires that the first membership instruments (IPA) remain the main means to help the countries of the Western Balkans and tools from the reform plan and economic growth are only additional, not replacing these instruments. / REL