Spajić in Skopje: Six billion from the Growth Plan - an opportunity that the region must take advantage of

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said that today the countries of the region defined the further course of action in the process of European integration and assessed that the integration into the internal market is an important opportunity that the countries of the Western Balkans must take advantage of.

Spajić, Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević and Minister of Finance Novica Vuković participated today in the conference "Plan for growth of the Western Balkans and faster integration into the EU" in Skopje, hosted by Macedonian Prime Minister Dmitar Kovačevski.

The leaders of the countries of the region and representatives of the European Union and the United States of America discussed the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which includes six billion euros in grants and loans to accelerate socioeconomic convergence with the European Union. That is, two billion in grants and four billion in soft loans guaranteed by the EU.

"For Montenegro, membership is not a formal category, but a need for deep economic integration that will provide our citizens with a standard of living in accordance with the developed countries of Europe. In this sense, as a newly formed government, our priority is clear - that economic integration becomes a reality, that the quality of life be better, and that membership in the European Union is certain," he said and added:

"We in Montenegro believe that our strength comes from our unity. We are sure that the same principle can be applied to the region. By creating a functional and connected regional market, we are opening up numerous opportunities for trade, investment and economic development".

Spajić said, as announced by his cabinet, that the Growth Plan is an instrument that will help achieve those goals, and said that Montenegro is fully committed to the implementation of the Plan, which is related to sustainable development, innovation and inclusive economic policies. This, as he pointed out, entails strengthening the legal framework, investing in infrastructure and encouraging the culture of entrepreneurship.

During the speech, he reminded that the Government prepared the Reform Agenda at the end of last year, on which they will additionally work with the European Commission.

"With very short deadlines, but with the full commitment of our administration, I believe that we have created solid foundations for reform measures on the basis of which we will further improve policies and define the final version of the document".

He pointed out that priority areas such as: Business environment and private sector development have been identified; Digital and green energy transitions; Development of human resources and strengthening of the rule of law.

"Relying on the pillars of the Growth Plan: common market, integration into the single European market, sustainable development and innovation, I am sure that through cooperation, determination and commitment to sustainable development we can build a brighter future for our region," Spajić said.

In addition to Spajić and Kovačevski, the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti attended the event, while the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto, spoke via video message.

The meeting was also attended by the director general of the European Commission's Directorate for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Gert Jan Kopman, and the US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, James O'Brien.

A joint declaration was also adopted at the meeting.

"In November 2023, the European Commission adopted a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans with the aim of bringing some of the benefits of membership to the region before accession, strengthening economic growth and accelerating much-needed socioeconomic rapprochement. The aim is to enable partner countries to intensify reforms and investments to significantly accelerate process of expansion and growth of their economies. For this purpose, a new Instrument for Reforms and Growth for the Western Balkans worth six billion euros has been proposed for the period from 2024-2027. Payments will be made only when the agreed reforms are implemented," the Government reminds.