Following his encounter with Macron in Belgrade, Serbia's Vučić embarks on a trip to meet von der Leyen in Prague.
Ursula von der Leyen to Discuss Serbia's EU Reform Agenda with President Vucić
Get ready for some high-level chats! European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is all set to sit down with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucić and discuss the reform agenda for the New Growth Plan in the Western Balkans — plus a bunch of other topics, of course.
Von der Leyen's meeting with Vucić comes hot on the heels of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Belgrade, where they talked shop about economic issues, defense, energy, artificial intelligence, and even some sweet aircraft deals. Macron signed off on Serbia buying 12 Rafale fighter jets from France for a cool €3 billion, and they even considered building some modular nuclear energy reactors.
Following Macron's departure on Friday afternoon, Vucić announced that he was jetting off to Prague to hang with von der Leyen at the GLOBSEC Forum. Von der Leyen delivered a keynote speech at the event, and Vucić shared aInstagram post about his "important meetings" in the central European country. Lithium might be on the agenda too, as Brussels is keen on securing critical raw materials for its green transition.
The New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans was approved by the Commission back in November, and it offers funding to countries in the region provided they implement reforms. A grand total of €6 billion has been set aside for the plan. Serbia has sent its reform agenda to the European Commission for feedback, and as per Tanja Miščević, Serbia's Minister for European Integration, there's not much left to do. All that's needed now is confirmation from the Commission and the member states.
Financial support from the EU will depend on the successful implementation of reforms. The Commission will release funds twice a year, based on the recipient's request and the Commission's verification, subject to three sets of conditions.
In order to qualify for funding, all applicants must show their respect for democratic mechanisms like free and fair elections, media pluralism, and an independent judiciary. Serbia and Kosovo also need to sort out their differences, as Kosovo is Serbia's former province that declared independence in 2008, which Belgrade doesn't recognize.
Out of the €6 billion in funding, €2 billion will be handed out straight to the countries' coffers, while €4 billion will be loans. According to rough estimates, Serbia could rake in between €1 billion and €630 million.
EU Funding for Reforms — Sooner, Better Together
The funding program aims to bring the Western Balkan countries closer to the EU by offering some of the perks of EU membership ahead of admission. This should boost economic growth and speed up socio-economic convergence in the region.
Serbia has submitted its reform agenda, which is necessary for qualifying for funding, to the European Commission for review.
Related * Serbia's Multi-Billion Deal with France for 12 Rafale Fighter Jets * China's Influence Versus EU Demands: Serbia's Lithium Dilemma
For a deeper dive into the nuances of the Western Balkan countries' integration into the EU, check out these articles:
- Pristina
- Belgrade
- European Union
- Serbia
- Membership
- Moreover, the discussion between Ursula von der Leyen and President Vucić is anticipated to cover integrated topics, such as defense, energy, artificial intelligence, and aircraft deals like the Rafale fighter jets agreement.
- The recent visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Belgrade has set the stage for these conversations, with the possibility of collaborating on modular nuclear energy reactors.
- As the meeting in Prague at the GLOBSEC Forum approaches, lithium is rumored to be on the agenda, given the EU's interest in securing essential raw materials for its green transition.
- The New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which was supported and approved by the European Commission in November, provides funding for regional reforms totaling €6 billion.
- Serbia's reform agenda requiring an extension of European Union membership has been delivered to the European Commission, with Tanja Miščević emphasizing that only minor adjustments are needed before confirmation from the Commission and member states.
- Financial support from the EU will be contingent on successful implementation of reforms, and fund disbursements will take place twice a year based on the recipient's request and the Commission's verification, adhering to three sets of conditions.
- Reform-supported funding is designed to encourage the Western Balkan countries to adopt democratic principles like free and fair elections, media pluralism, and an independent judiciary.
- Additionally, the resolution of tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, as Kosovo is Serbia's former province that declared independence in 2008, is crucial for the region's progress towards EU membership.
- €2 billion from the €6 billion funding pool will be distributed directly to the respective country’s budget, while the remaining €4 billion will be in the form of loans.
- Serbia can potentially receive between €1 billion and €630 million in funding, a significant boost for its economy and social developments.
- Ultimately, this funding program seeks to bring the Western Balkan nations closer to the EU, promoting economic growth and hastening socio-economic convergence in the area.
- Additionally, the upcoming meeting is expected to touch upon topics like democratic mechanisms, media pluralism, and an independent judiciary to ensure qualification for funding and entering the EU.
- On the side, one might also engage in activities such as skill-building through workshops, sports, like football in European leagues, or job-searching, while staying informed about general news, crime and justice, accidents, fires, and policy updates.
