Joint statement of the leaders of the Western Balkans six: The growth plan is a chance to encourage and implement key reforms

The leaders of six Western Balkan countries, including the Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić, adopted a joint declaration at today's conference "Growth Plan: Western Balkans and the EU" in the capital of North Macedonia, Skopje.

The joint statement states, among other things, that the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans adopted by the European Commission is a chance to encourage and implement key reforms.

The joint statement was delivered to the media by Spajić's cabinet.

In addition to him and the host of the conference, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia Dmitar 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.

The joint statement states:

1. Recognizing the complex geopolitical picture characterized by Russian aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, we, the leaders of the Western Balkans Six, emphasize the exceptional importance of cooperation in the region and integration into the European Union, and commit ourselves to achieving progress in the area of ​​the four freedoms of movement (capital , goods, services, people) for all our citizens,

2. Recognizing the importance of the conclusions of the Chairman of the Summit of the Berlin Process held in Tirana on October 16, 2023 and the Brussels Declaration from the EU-Western Balkans Summit of December 13, 2023,

3. Noting that the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans represents a new opportunity for improving the economic and social convergence of our region with the European Union, as a means of advancing the accession process,

4. Committed to exploiting the opportunities provided by the Growth Plan and meeting the expectations of our citizens for a more prosperous and stable future within the European Union,

5. Ready to implement this comprehensive plan, based on gradual integration into the EU Single Market, improved regional economic integration, accelerated fundamental reforms, the primacy of democracy, fundamental rights and values ​​and the rule of law, including the fight against corruption and suppression of political interference in independent institutions that should serve all citizens equally, and increased financial assistance through the Instrument for Reform and Growth, which has the potential to bring much-needed momentum to the enlargement process, enabling us to overcome the obstacles that hinder our progress,

6. We see the growth plan as a chance to encourage and implement key reforms towards closing the convergence gap with the EU that will encourage development, including socio-economic reforms and fundamental reforms, during a key moment in the enlargement process. In this spirit, we have begun our preparations for the implementation of the Growth Plan, including the development of strategic reform agendas to guide actions and investments over the next four years.

7. These reform agendas are based on individual efforts within the framework of economic and reform programs, which we commit to continue to improve and support. The Financial Instrument of the Growth Plan will, on the other hand, supplement the existing support from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance and give additional impetus to the implementation of the Economic Investment Plan and the reform priorities recognized on the way to accession.

8. Together, as a region, we will concentrate our efforts on promoting regional economic integration through the Common Regional Market based on EU rules and standards, while at the same time advancing the opening of the regional market towards the EU Single Market. The region is ready to take additional decisive actions to complete the translation of the Common Regional Market into reality. He appreciates the support of the EU in that process and is committed to the preparation for the ambitious successor of the current Action Plan for ZRT, emphasizing the importance of cooperation with the Council for Regional Cooperation, CEFTA, the Energy Community and the Transport Community, as well as with the Chamber Investment Forum ZB6 in that process .

9. Recognizing the need for a collective contribution to the development of a new and ambitious plan for the ZRT, our joint efforts aim not only to strengthen integration within our region, but also to pave the way and be a springboard for wider integration with the single market. This will consist of accelerating our joint efforts in facilitating regional trade, reducing the negative impact of non-tariff measures, opening up the service sector and facilitating the movement of workers. This visionary approach will create an enabling environment for enhanced economic cooperation and prosperity across borders, underscoring our firm commitment to regional unity and progress.

10. Confirming that the EU is open to considering proposals from the Growth Plan aimed at improving the economic integration of the Western Balkans with the EU and within the region, we will strengthen our efforts to comply with the rules of the EU single market. This includes opening relevant sectors to all neighbours, respecting the principles of the common regional market and the fundamental values, standards and rules of the EU, as well as maintaining the integrity of the EU Single Market and the level playing field.

11. Recognizing the concerted efforts of both the Western Balkans and the EU to bring the region into the EU, we firmly believe that the Instrument for Reform and Growth will tangibly advance the accession process for all our citizens and contribute to narrowing the social and economic gap in the region, while creating the conditions for the implementation of market-oriented reforms that generate growth.