Skopje, 23 November 2023 (MIA) - The dialogue between Western Balkan countries and the European Union concerning the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans resumes Thursday in Brussels.

Minister of Finance, Fatmir Besimi, is leading the delegation from North Macedonia in the bilateral meetings currently taking place in Brussels.

“The meeting is a part of the planned activities for implementing the proposed Growth Plan and takes place only one week after the first meeting held in Skopje, where the Plan was presented following its adoption in Brussels. The meeting in Brussels is set to focus on the priority areas outlined in the reform agenda that the country is required to prepare as part of this process, as well as the investments that are intended to support that reform. Both the EU and the Western Balkan countries, as underscored in the meeting in Skopje, share an interest in accelerating this process, ensuring that the benefits are felt sooner by the countries, citizens and business community,” Ministry of Finance said in a press release.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is an EU tool designed to accelerate the implementation of reforms, aiming for rapid economic growth and socio-economic convergence.

The new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is based on four pillars, aimed at enhancing economic integration with the European Union's single market; boosting economic integration within the Western Balkans through the Common Regional Market; accelerating fundamental reforms and increasing financial assistance to support the reforms through a Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans for the period 2024-2027.

The reform agendas are expected to be prepared and submitted to the EU by the start of the second quarter of 2024, with the funds supporting these reforms set to commence disbursement by the end of the next year.