Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić are expected to examine the Western Balkan country’s reform plan for the New Growth Plan for the area, among other issues.
What Is the Significance of Von der Leyen’s Meeting with Vučić for Serbia’s EU Ambitions?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is subsequently in line to meet with Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić, right after French President Emmanuel Macron visits his own to the Western Balkan nation. Soon after Macron’s departure, Vučić disclosed his meeting with von der Leyen in Prague, where she delivered a keynote speech at the GLOBSEC Forum, stating on Instagram he was already on his path to “important meetings” in the central European country.
While lithium might remain a central topic of conversation, as Brussels remains willing to secure necessary raw materials for its green transition, the two are also expected to examine a reform agenda presented to the European Commission by Belgrade that could bring in a substantial financial injection to the EU membership promising.
As part of the New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, supported by the EU Commission in November, countries in the Western Balkan region will be capable of receiving funding under the condition of executing reforms. A total of €6 billion has been given to the plan.
How Does the EU Plan to Monitor and Ensure Effective Implementation of Proposed Reforms
The funding program seeks to bring the Western Balkan countries nearer to the EU by offering some of the advantages of EU membership to the region in advance of accession, promoting economic growth and accelerating socio-economic convergence.
Serbia has introduced its reform agenda, which is necessary to permit funding, to the European Commission for consultation. Tanja Miščević, Minister for European Integration of the Government of Serbia, said that “there is not too much work left” and that “first the Commission and then the member states should confirm our reform agendas.”
The European Commission states financial support will rely on the successful implementation of reforms: “Appropriate funds will be unleashed twice a year, based on the request of the beneficiary of the funds and confirmation by the Commission subject to three sets of conditions.”
