The European Union plans to help the countries of the Western Balkans pursue reforms needed for integration with the wealthy bloc with an investment of 6 billion euros ($6.4 billion), the EU executive's president, Ursula von der Leyen, said in Skopje on Monday.
North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina all need to seize the "window of opportunity" for the enlargement of the EU and work to align their standards to those in the bloc, von der Leyen said.
North Macedonia, for example, needs to reform its business environment, create an efficient public administration, have sound public finances and improve the fight against corruption. It also needs to amend the constitution to recognise Bulgarians as a minority, as requested by Bulgaria, to allow the country to join the EU.
Von der Leyen said the EU was ready to start disbursing 100 million euros in micro-financial assistance but "we need to do more, we need to bring our economies closer," since the economies of the Western Balkan countries account for about 42% of the EU average income.Later in the day she visited Kosovo, where she urged the country to grant more autonomy to the Serb minority, which is around 5 percent of the population, by creating an association of municipalities that will serve them.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dubbed ‘oldest log cabin in the western hemisphere,’ this historic home just sold for $262KThe original structure dates back to the 1600s and was made without a single nail.
Read more »
Peevy accounts for 3 TDs, defense forces 6 turnovers and Mercer tops Western Carolina 45-38Carter Peevy threw a touchdown pass and ran for two scores, and the defense forced six turnovers to lead Mercer to a 45-38 upset of Western Carolina. Peevy’s 2-yard run gave the Bears a 7-0 lead and his 18-yard connection with Ty James made it 14-7 midway through the first quarter.
Read more »
Climate Change’s Harsh Impact on Ancient European PopulationsScience, Space and Technology News 2023
Read more »
Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott Teamed Up for an Epic TV Western AdventureIn 1982, Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott starred in the underrated Western The Shadow Riders.
Read more »
In wake of Hamas attack, western protests, Republicans increase focus on legal immigration limitsAfter the Hamas terror attacks on Israel and subsequent protests in the U.S. and elsewhere, some Republicans are turning their attention to restrictions on legal immigration.
Read more »
Chevron's $53B Hess purchase; Western Digital's doomed merger: 5 big deal reportsChevron's $53B Hess purchase; Western Digital's doomed merger: 5 big deal reports
Read more »