Facility for the Western Balkans: upcoming ECA opinion
- Publication on Wednesday 7 February at 5.00 p.m. CET
- Interviews available on request (within the time slots available)
On Wednesday, 7 February 2024, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) will issue an opinion on the Reform and Growth Facility for Western Balkan countries as recently proposed by the European Commission.
Background
Since the early 2000s, six Western Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia – have aspired to EU membership. As part of the enlargement process, the EU has been financially supporting the socio-economic development of these countries, as well as providing other forms of assistance, to promote essential reforms related to EU values and alignment with existing EU legislation.
The European Commission published the proposal for establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans on 8 November 2023. The proposed facility would provide up to €6 billion of additional support. In their opinion, the EU auditors will express their views on the proposal, and make several suggestions in order to contribute to the legislative procedure.
* The name “Kosovo” is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on Kosovo’s declaration of independence.
For the press
- The opinion and press release will be published on the ECA’s website (eca.europa.eu) at 5.00 p.m. CET on Wednesday 7 February 2024.
- The ECA Member responsible for the opinion is Laima Liucija Andrikienė.
- Interviews are available, but will depend on time-slot availability.
- For statements and media queries, contact the ECA press office at press@eca.europa.eu.
Press contact
ECA press office: press@eca.europa.eu
- Vincent Bourgeais: vincent.bourgeais@eca.europa.eu – M: (+352) 691 551 502
- Damijan Fišer: damijan.fiser@eca.europa.eu – M: (+352) 621 552 224
