EC: Kosovo qualifies for payments from the Growth Plan, if it fulfills the conditions

The European Commission (EC) said on Friday that Kosovo, like other countries, will qualify to receive payments from the European Union (EU) Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, if it meets the required conditions.

However, the spokeswoman of the EC, Ana Pisonero, did not directly answer the question of Radio Free Europe (REL) whether the current punitive measures of the EU against Kosovo will also apply to the funds from this special financial package.

"Kosovo, like the rest of the Western Balkans, is considered eligible for funds from the Growth Plan, if it fulfills the conditions for payments," Pisonero told REL.

The European Commission imposed punitive measures against Kosovo a year ago due to the escalation of the security situation in the north of the country.

After the punitive measures, Kosovo was left out of the grants that the EU approved in July last year, in the amount of 2.1 billion euros.

The Kosovar authorities argue that they have met all the conditions for the lifting of these measures.

The EU is now considering the gradual or immediate lifting of these measures. A report from the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borrell, is expected for this.

Meanwhile, regarding the 6 billion euro plan that was officially approved recently for the Balkans, Pisonero has reiterated that, for Kosovo and Serbia, the prerequisite to benefit from payments from this package is constructive engagement in the normalization of neighboring relations.

"The Growth Plan of 6 billion euros for the six partners from the Western Balkans represents a comprehensive offer of the EU to strengthen socio-economic conditions. It also foresees a progressive approach to the EU's single market, provided that progress is also achieved in the common regional market and the mechanisms for intensive reforms," ​​she added.

She underlined that the Growth Plan is not an alternative to the EU enlargement process, "but it is an offer, which will help and accelerate this process".

Pisonero has reiterated that there are some strict conditions that will be required from the countries of the region to secure payments from this package.

"Payments from the growth package will be subject to strict conditions. This means reforms in the main and socio-economic areas. In the case of Kosovo and Serbia, there is a general prerequisite to engage in a constructive way in the normalization of relations between them, with the aim of fully implementing all their respective obligations arising from the Agreement on the path to the normalization of relations and The implementation annex, as well as all agreements from the past in the dialogue and to engage in negotiations for the comprehensive agreement for the normalization of relations", she underlined.

On February 27, 2023 in Brussels, Kosovo and Serbia had reached the Basic Agreement, while on March 18 in Ohrid, agreement was reached on the Annex of the implementation of the agreement.

Pisonero echoed the constant statements of EU officials that the implementation of these agreements is essential in the path of Kosovo and Serbia towards the EU, as he considers them an obligation for both parties./ REL