A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans : six new flagship initiatives to support the transformation of the Western Balkans.
Date: 2018-08-31
Institutions: Directorate-General for Communication
Subjects: EU regional policy, Western Balkans, economic support, economic transition, enlargement of the Union, regional aid, regional development, regional economy

A CREDIBLE ENLARGEMENT PERSPECTIVE FOR
AND ENHANCED EU ENGAGEMENT WITH
THE WESTERN BALKANS

SIX NEW FLAGSHIP INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE  
WESTERN BALKANS

Through six flagship initiatives, the Western Balkans Strategy sets out the EU’s unprecedented support to the transformation 
process in the Western Balkans, targeting specific areas of interest for both the EU and the Western Balkans countries:

INITIATIVE TO STRENGTHEN THE RULE OF LAW

INITIATIVE TO REINFORCE ENGAGEMENT ON 
SECURITY AND MIGRATION

Existing  tools,  such  as  detailed  action  plans,  will  be 
expanded to all Western Balkans countries. Assessment 
of  reform  implementation  will  be  enhanced,  including 
through new advisory missions. Greater use will be made 
of leverage provided in the negotiating frameworks with 
Montenegro and Serbia.

Reinforced  cooperation  on  fighting  organised  crime, 
countering  terrorism  and  violent  extremism  and  on 
border  security  and  migration  management.  Europol 
liaison  officers  will  be  posted  in  the  region;  Joint 
Investigation  Teams  further  promoted  and  status 
agreements with the European Border and Coast Guard 
Agency concluded.

INITIATIVE TO ENHANCE SUPPORT FOR 
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

INITIATIVE TO INCREASE TRANSPORT AND 
ENERGY CONNECTIVITY

include  expanding 

This  will 
the  Western  Balkans 
Investment Framework, a significant boost in the provision 
of  guarantees  to  crowd  in  private  investment,  support 
to  start-ups  and  SMEs  and  greater  trade  facilitation.  A 
new  reinforced  social  dimension  will  see  more  focus  on 
employment  and  social  policies,  with  increased  financial 
assistance  to  support  the  social  sector,  in  particular 
education  and  health.  Funding  under  Erasmus+  will  be 
doubled.

Within  the  region  and  with  the  EU,  including  new 
investment support. More effective use will be made of 
the  Connecting  Europe  Facility  in  the  Western  Balkan 
countries. The EU’s Energy Union should be expanded to 
the Western Balkans. 

INITIATIVE FOR A DIGITAL AGENDA FOR 
THE WESTERN BALKANS

INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT RECONCILIATION 
AND GOOD NEIGHBOURLY RELATIONS

This will include a roadmap to facilitate lowering roaming 
costs,  support  to  the  deployment  of  broadband  and 
development  of  eGovernment,  eProcurement,  eHealth 
and digital skills. 

This will include support to transitional justice, missing 
persons and increased cooperation in education, culture, 
youth  and  sport,  and  expanding  the  scope  of  the 
Regional Youth Cooperation Office. The Western Balkans 
will be fully associated to the European Year of Cultural 
Heritage; The EU - Western Balkans Heritage Route will 
be launched.   

C
-
N
E
-
0
7
0
-
8
1
-
4
0
-
A
N

6
8
1
2
3

/

5
7
7
2
0
1

.

:
i

o
d

0
-
4
5
2
9
7
-
9
7
-
2
9
-
8
7
9
N
B
S

I

N
-
N
E
-
0
7
0
-
8
1
-
4
0
-
A
N

1
9
9
2
0
9

/

5
7
7
2
0
1

.

:
i

o
d

6
-
1
8
2
9
7
-
9
7
-
2
9
-
8
7
9
N
B
S

I

t
n

i
r
P

F
D
P