EU Commission chief proposes more fund, trade to Western Balkans

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) – EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday promised to increase investment in the Western Balkans to ease the economic impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Speaking at GLOBSEC Forum in the Slovakian capital Bratislava, von der Leyen pledged a “growth plan” for the Western Balkans as “the shock waves sent by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s war of aggression have reached” the region.

The plan aims to increase pre-accession EU funds for the countries because there is “a dire need for investment in the Western Balkans” in these “turbulent times.”

Von der Leyen also proposed a closer association with the EU’s single market that would enable the Western Balkan countries access Digital Single Market in areas like e-commerce or cybersecurity and facilitate trade in goods and payments.

She stressed that economic cooperation would improve people’s lives and “smooth” the Western Balkan countries’ way to the EU.

- EU support for Ukraine

Von der Leyen also backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace plan.

She called for a “just peace” and said a “cease-fire resulting in a frozen conflict will not bring lasting peace.”

Von der Leyen welcomed the discussions on creating security guarantees for Ukraine, suggesting a “collection of such guarantees by like-minded states” that provide Ukraine with the military equipment to “fortify itself against Russian attacks in the future.”

She also argued that Ukraine needs “democratic reforms” for long-lasting peace and pledged support for the country that received an EU candidate country status in June 2022.