Skopje, 17 November 2023 (MIA) — North Macedonia is hosting the first meeting on the EU's new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. Participants include government ministers from North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Kosovo, along with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Director-General Gert Jan Koopman.

According to the Ministry of Finance in a press release, the meeting is a springboard for the implementation of the Western Balkan countries' reform agendas they need to accelerate by the end of the year to have access to the EU's planned funding as soon as next year.

Minister of Finance Fatmir Besimi in his opening speech welcomed the opportunities the Growth Plan provides for the region's "lasting and sustainable growth."

"Digital and green transition, increasing competitiveness, and increasing equality are areas that require strong institutions and policies," Minister Besimi said.

Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj said the countries would show "the institutional and administrative will to take full responsibility for the implementation of the Plan."

According to the DG NEAR Director General, who presented the Growth Plan before the ministers of finance and economy, and the chief negotiators of North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania, the plan would boost both the economies and the accession processes of the countries.

"These things go together," said, adding that results should be tangible and the countries needed to work quickly ahead of the EU Council's decisions in December. mr/