EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 01 July 2025
Western Balkans Leaders' meeting in Skopje reaffirms commitment for swift delivery of the Growth Plan
Today, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and the leaders of the six Western Balkans partners (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) gathered in Skopje for a high-level meeting dedicated to the EU-backed Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The leaders reaffirmed their determination to seize the opportunities that the Growth Plan brings to the region.
After a year of advancing reform and intensive cooperation across areas such as finance, transport, digital connectivity and market integration, Commissioner Marta Kos and leaders took stock of the progress made so far. They also confirmed their determination to meet on a regular basis to maintain the political momentum behind the Plan's implementation. The leaders intend to meet again in the autumn of this year.
Partners delivering on reforms under the Reform Agendas
The Reform & Growth Facility (RGF), under which the partners have developed Reform Agendas, is an ambitious common tool and commitment to implement more than 600 ambitious reforms for which the EU is providing €6 billion in financial support.
So far, pre-financing payments under the RGF have been made to North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia. The Commission encourages Kosovo to accelerate the approval process for bringing into force the Facility and Loan agreements to unlock pre-financing. The Commission also welcomes the adoption by Bosnia and Herzegovina of a draft Reform Agenda on 27 June.
Following the approval of five Reform Agendas in October 2024, the partners have started the implementation of the reforms. During the meeting, Commissioner Kos recalled that this instrument needs sustained and strong steer and ownership by the political leaders to ensure swift and full delivery. This will accelerate our partners' growth and ensure they advance on their EU accession path. While results on some important reforms are already visible, partners were invited during the meeting to speed up the delivery of the plan. The Commission is working closely with the Western Balkan partners to achieve just that.
New flagship investments in clean energy up to €487 million
By using the pre-financing made available to the beneficiaries who have completed all the RGF preparatory work, the Commission proposed to the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) Operational Board an investment package of €87.7 million. This is expected to mobilise a total of €487.3 million for eight new investments in clean energy in Albania, Montenegro and Serbia:
Electricity: construction of overhead lines, construction of substations in Albania and Montenegro.
Hydropower: rehabilitation of hydropower plants in Albania and Serbia.
Solar heating: renewable energy integration into Novi Sad District Heating System in Serbia.
These investments will be rolled out in close cooperation with the Western Balkan partners and international financial institutions through the WBIF.
Advancing on regional integration and new areas of gradual integration into the EU Single Market
Under the Growth Plan, to further accelerate gradual integration in the EU Single Market, in addition to reforms committed to under the RGF, partners have taken the following complementary measures:
First, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia have joined the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). This paves the way for making financial transfers in euro easier and reduces the cost and processing time of these transactions between their citizens, businesses and other SEPA members.
On the Green Lanes – an initiative supported by the European Commission that ensures smoother transit flows of goods within and between the Western Balkans and the EU – implementation is underway to support the 11 busiest crossing points. The Commission will provide financial support to address infrastructure needs through the Safe and Sustainable Transport Programme.
Work progresses on digital connectivity as well. As a result of the first call, seven European Digital Innovation Hubs that will support SMEs in their digital transformation, transitions have been selected and activities started in January 2025, with more calls underway. On the EU digital identity wallet, the Western Balkans are working along the same trajectory as EU Member States. In addition, over 300 municipalities have applied for WiFi for the Western Balkans (WiFi4WB) and the first hotspots should be in place in the last quarter of this year. The Commission and the Western Balkan countries will also double down on efforts to reduce roaming rates, which would allow citizens to roam like at home when moving in the EU and in the Western Balkans.
Work is also advancing to facilitate the development of the Western Balkans' tourism ecosystem. This is achieved by integrating regional tourism stakeholders into EU wide bodies and mechanisms, including the Tourism Advisory Committee, and the European Travel Commission. The aim is to support the transition towards a greener, more digital and resilient tourism industry and to boost skills. On consumer protection, cooperation is developing to facilitate access to tools, knowledge and networks to build partner countries' capacity to ensure the protection of consumer rights and product safety. Finally, the Single Market Highway initiative will focus on romot industrial alliances and strengthening value chains between the Western Balkans and the European Union; acceleration of regulatory convergence and integration of business communities
Next steps
Building on the work already done, participants agreed to double down on reforms, reaffirming their political commitment and working to forge broad national consensus so that key measures are adopted rigorously and on time as well as to boost communication and visibility, ensuring citizens and businesses see the concrete benefits of the Growth Plan and understand the reforms it brings.
In the next weeks, the Commission will finalise its assessment of the reforms' implementation and will proceed with the adoption of the decisions on the disbursements related to the first reporting round-.
Background
This leaders' meeting was meant to take place in March this year,but was postponed due to the tragic fire in Kočani.
The Growth Plan for the Western Balkans was adopted by the Commission on 8 November 2023. The Plan aims to integrate the Western Balkan partners into the EU's Single Market, advance regional economic cooperation, deepen EU-related reforms and increase pre-accession funding to accelerate socio-economic convergence of the Western Balkans with the EU.
The Growth Plan incentivises enlargement partners' preparations for EU membership, by bringing forward some of its benefits ahead of full integration into the EU. This in turn should significantly speed up the enlargement process and the growth of their economies.
The Growth Plan has the potential to double the size of the Western Balkan economies within the next decade. To support this process a new €6 billion financing instrument, the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans was adopted for the period 2024-2027. The Plan is based on four pillars, aimed at: 1. enhancing economic integration with the European Union's Single Market; 2. boosting economic integration within the Western Balkans through the Common Regional Market, based on EU rules and standards; 3. accelerating fundamental reforms, including on the fundamentals cluster, supporting the Western Balkans' path towards EU membership, improving sustainable economic growth including through attracting foreign investments and strengthening regional stability; and 4. supporting convergence with the EU through increased financial assistance.
For More Information
Growth Plan for the Western Balkans - European Commission
First Investments under the Growth Plan through the Western Balkans Investment Framework
European Union and the Western Balkans
Green_Lanes_Comprehensive_Roadmap
Home | European Digital Innovation Hubs Network
Quote(s)
“The Growth Plan is the Western Balkan’s accelerator into the European family – it is an essential element to speed up and deepen integration with the EU. In just 20 months, we have moved from ideas to results— and we continue to expand our cooperation. In a world that is fragmenting, enlargement remains our project of unification – I invite partners to grasp this window of opportunity and double down on reform efforts. For my part, I will do whatever I can to help partners reach milestones as quickly as possible. So that people and businesses in the region have the full benefits of the Growth Plan already before accession.
Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement
Commissioner Kadis hosts implementation dialogue on maritime spatial planning
Today Commissioner Kadis is hosting an implementation dialogue on the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive.
This Directive promotes the sustainable growth of maritime economies, the sustainable development of marine areas, and the sustainable use of marine resources. As competition for maritime space intensifies, effective spatial planning becomes critical for the maritime economy and the protection and restoration of marine biodiversity and ecosystems.
Held in Brussels, the meeting will gather industry representatives, regional and national authorities, and non-governmental organisations to explore the Directive's state of implementation and contribute to shaping the future of maritime spatial planning in the EU. This discussion comes in light of the European Ocean Pact, which aims to review the MSP Directive and build on it to propose an Ocean Act, a single framework to facilitate the implementation of the Pact's key objectives.
Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, said: " By bringing voices from across the maritime spectrum to the table, this dialogue will help us ensure the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive evolves with the challenges — and opportunities — of our maritime space."
Implementation dialogues are an opportunity to align implementation with realities on the ground. President von der Leyen tasked all Commissioners to organise two Implementation Dialogues per year to align implementation with realities on the ground. This is the first of such dialogues for Commissioner Kadis.
The conclusions of the dialogue will be available online.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel: +32 229-66483; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 298 25 04)
Cyprus Green Line crossings reached historic high in 2024
In 2024, the number of authorized crossings between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities across Cyprus' Green Line reached an unprecedented 7.18 million. Simultaneously, the European Union allocated €39.4 million to increase living standards in the Turkish Cypriot community, marking the highest funding since this programme's inception in 2006.
These accomplishments are detailed in two annual reports released today by the European Commission. They concern the implementation of the Green Line Regulation of 2004, which oversees the movement of people, goods, and services in Cyprus, and the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. Both initiatives underscore the EU's commitment to the reunification of Cyprus, including by improving socio-economic conditions and promoting confidence-building measures for the benefit of all Cypriots.
The rise in authorised crossings coincides with a significant decline in irregular crossings to 3,319, reflecting increased efficiency in managing the Green Line. However, trade across the Green Line experienced a 5% downturn in 2024, totalling €15.2 million. This decrease is primarily due to constraints within the construction sector and increased prices in the Turkish Cypriot community. Despite these challenges, movements regulated by the 2004 Green Line Regulation remain vital to Cyprus' EU-driven peacebuilding efforts.
Moreover, EU funding of €39.4 million in 2024 has supported crucial socio-economic development within the Turkish Cypriot community and reconciliation efforts. Noteworthy achievements include the awarding of 126 scholarships to Turkish Cypriot students to study at EU universities, the enrolment of 18 students from both communities at United World Colleges, and an investment of €2.6 million dedicated to preserving Cyprus' shared cultural heritage, with over 170 monuments restored thus far.
In addition, EU-funded infrastructure projects, ranging from renewable energy systems to youth sport facilities, have further improved living standards in the Turkish Cypriot community. The Commission remains resolute in its commitment to confidence-building and the reunification efforts on the island.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha +32 229-52117)
EU Justice Scoreboard 2025 highlights strengthened justice systems in the EU
Today, the European Commission published the thirteenth edition of the EU Justice Scoreboard, an annual report providing comparative data on the efficiency, quality, and independence of the justice systems among EU Member States. It shows that citizens in most Member States perceive judicial independence as having improved or remained stable, compared to last year.
This year's Scoreboard also presents new indicators relevant for the single market, highlighting the essential role of efficient and independent justice systems in fostering a fair and competitive market environment. For example, it shows that companies in 16 Member States commend the autonomy of their national competition authorities.
The findings of this year's Scoreboard will feed into Commission's 2025 Rule of Law Report.
Key findings of the 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard
Digitalisation of justice systems
Digitalisation continues to make significant strides: nine Member States allow for the digital submission of evidence in civil, commercial, administrative and criminal cases, a noticeable jump from six in 2024. 26 Member States allow to initiate proceedings or file a claim online in civil and commercial cases.
Efficiency of justice
Compared to last year, eight Member States have recorded shorter proceedings across all categories (civil, commercial, administrative and other cases). For litigious civil and commercial cases, the length of first instance court proceedings continued to decrease or remained stable in 13 Member States.
Access to justice
In 26 Member States, there are specific arrangements in place for access to justice for persons at risk of discrimination. Physical accessibility to court facilities is enhanced in 24 Member States, while 19 have awareness raising initiatives for those at risk of discrimination on where to obtain legal information and assistance.
Independent single market authorities
The report shows that varying processes for appointing public procurement review bodies and national competition authorities exist across Member States. More than half of companies in 15 Member States rate the independence of public procurement review bodies positively, while in 16 Member States, companies commend their national competition authorities' autonomy.
The EU Justice Scoreboard findings contribute to the monitoring carried out within the framework of the Annual Rule of Law Cycle and the European Semester. They will inform the Commission's 2025 Rule of Law Report, as well as the National Recovery and Resilience Plans.
Alongside the report, the Commission is also publishing the results of the Eurobarometer survey on the public and companies perception of the judicial independence in each Member State. The surveys reveal that over half of both citizens and businesses positively view the independence of their judicial systems.
Launched in 2013, the EU Justice Scoreboard serves as an analytic tool to monitor reforms related to the efficiency, quality and independence of the justice systems across EU Member States. It is part of the EU's Rule of Law toolbox.
The 2025 edition answers the call for more detailed comparative data, including insights into public procurement review bodies and national competition authorities following the 2024 Political Guidelines of President von der Leyen. The new indicators include for example companies' perception of the independence of public procurement review bodies and of the national competition authorities; and the appointment and dismissal rules for public procurement review bodies, national competition authorities and supreme audit institutions.
With a budget of around €305 million for 2021-2027, the justice programme supports the development a just Europe, based on judicial independence, quality and cooperation. In 2024, around EUR 41.2 million were provided to fund projects and other activities under the three specific objectives of the programme.
More information
The 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard
The EU Justice Scoreboard factsheet
The 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard quantitative
Questions and Answers
Flash Eurobarometer 554 (2025). Perceived independence of the national justice systems in the EU among the general public
Flash Eurobarometer 555 (2025). Perceived independence of the national justice systems in the EU among companies
CEPEJ Studies
2025 Rule of Law Report - targeted stakeholder consultation
Factsheet EU's rule of law toolbox
EU Justice Scoreboard website
The EU Justice Scoreboard delivers a unique overview of justice systems across the EU. With its new focus on the single market, this edition makes it clear: strong rule of law systems are the driving force behind the efficient and fair Single Market for all. Fair rules give us a competitive advantage, especially in uncertain times.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
The Rule of Law is not just a principle - it is a quiet force that ensures fairness over arbitrariness, and trust over fear. This year’s Justice Scoreboard highlights the indispensable role of strong, independent justice systems in fostering a resilient, competitive, and thriving Europe. When justice systems are strong, citizens and business know that their rights do not depend on the whims of power, but on the certainty of justice. It is my mission to ensure that the European Union remains the beacon of legal certainty that it is today.
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection
Commission sets course for the future of the EU ports and maritime industry
The European Commission has started preparations for an EU Ports Strategy and EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and is inviting stakeholders to participate in the process.
Today, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas is hosting two high-level Strategic Dialogues in Brussels. The meetings bring together representatives from port, shipbuilding, shipping, inland waterway and related industries to help jointly define priorities, opportunities and actions to feed into the development of the EU Ports and Industrial Maritime Strategies. Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné will also join the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy Dialogue.
As gateways for trade, logistics, energy and military mobility, ports must be fit to support Europe's future economic and strategic needs. A comprehensive EU Ports Strategy will aim to support the long-term competitiveness of ports in terms with a focus on security, energy transition, and sustainability.
At the same time, Europe's shipbuilding, maritime manufacturing and shipping sectors are under growing pressure from global competition and rising security risks. The EU Industrial Maritime Strategy will aim to reinforce the sector's competitiveness and resilience, while driving forward its green and digital transition.
Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, stated: “With our upcoming EU Ports and Industrial Maritime Strategies, we aim to ensure that Europe's ports and waterborne industries are equipped to lead the clean and digital energy transition, support defence and trade, and remain globally competitive. Broad stakeholder input is essential - we are committed to listening to the sector's needs and ambitions to help shape a future-ready Europe.”
Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné, said: “As part of our industrial recovery plan, the Commission is committed to supporting sectors where Europe leads globally. The maritime industry and our ports are vital for Europe's sovereignty. Our priority is to strengthen their competitiveness while driving their decarbonisation. Today's dialogue is the first step towards a renewed ambition for our European maritime leadership”.
The Commission has also launched calls for evidence for both, the EU Ports and EU Industrial Maritime Strategies inviting stakeholders to share their views until 28 July.
The list of participants to the meetings is available online.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 298 25 04)
€30 million pilot launched to support Finnish SMEs' exports to Ukraine
Finnish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps will benefit from a new EU-backed export guarantee scheme helping them trade with Ukraine despite wartime risks. The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the European Investment Bank Group, and Finnvera – Finland's official export credit agency – have signed a new guarantee agreement to support Finnish SMEs and mid-caps exporting to Ukraine. The €30 million pilot under InvestEU programme is part of the EU's broader efforts to strengthen economic ties with Ukraine and support its reconstruction and EU accession process.
Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “I welcome this €30 million agreement under the EU's Ukraine export guarantee credit facility to support Finnish SMEs exporting to Ukraine. Backed by the EU budget and the European Investment Fund, the export facility supports EU businesses to continue trade and strengthen our economic ties with Ukraine. In doing so, it promotes the further integration of the EU and Ukrainian economies and the reconstruction of Ukraine. I look forward to more agreements being concluded using this facility in the near future for the benefit of both EU businesses and the Ukrainian economy.”
The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners that will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. The entire budget guarantee will back the investment projects of the implementing partners, increase their risk-bearing capacity and thus mobilise at least €372 billion in additional investment. As of January 2025, the fund has mobilised €300 billion in investment.
More information is available in a press release online.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Quentin Cortes - Tel.: +32 2 291 32 83)
2025 Competition Summer School for officials from Asian authorities to kick off next week in Bruges
Between 30 June and 11 July, competition authority officials from ASEAN countries – Association of Southeast Asian Nations –, India and Bangladesh will participate in the Competition Summer School , organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the College of Europe in Bruges.
The Competition Summer School facilitates cooperation amongst the participating authorities and deepens the contacts with European officials and professionals. This year's training programme will, among other things, explore recent developments in EU competition law, including the Horizontal Block Exemption Regulation and guidelines, the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation, competition in generative AI, the new guidance on unilateral conduct, the Foreign Subsidies Regulation and State aid control as well as the Digital Markets Act.
The Competition Summer School is organised by the Commission under the Asia Partnerships Facility, an EU-funded programme offering technical cooperation among others to competition authorities in Asia. The objective is to strengthen convergence in competition policy, to the benefit of citizens and businesses in both the EU and Asia.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98)
Commissioners Tzitzikostas and Kubilius to discuss necessary investments in EU military mobility and infrastructure
Today, Commissioners Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Andrius Kubilius participate in the extraordinary TEN-T Committee with Member States, aimed at speeding up the EU's military mobility policy - a cornerstone of Europe's defence and security architecture.
The meeting will bring together representatives from transport and defence ministries, as well as NATO – including NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning, NATO's Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC) Commander Lieutenant General, and the European Union Military Staff, to mark an important step in the joint efforts to strengthen Europe's logistical networks and address critical infrastructure investment needs along four established EU priority military mobility corridors.
These corridors – identified through cooperation with EU Member States and EU military staff, and in close collaboration with NATO – include over 500 priority projects, ranging from reinforcing bridges and widening tunnels to constructing railway sidings, to be addressed as a matter of priority, as indicated in the recently adopted White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030.
Investments will be focused on projects with the most tangible dual-use impact, ensuring that infrastructure improvements serve both civilian and military needs. The outcomes of this work will feed directly into the upcoming Military Mobility Package, to be adopted later this year.
The European Commission also invites transport and defence stakeholders to contribute to a recently launched targeted consultation aimed at shaping future actions and priorities in this area.
Commissioner Brunner is in Türkiye for the third High-Level Dialogue on Migration and Security
Today, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner will travel to Istanbul for an EU-Türkiye High-Level Dialogue on Migration and Security, which will take place tomorrow. The High-Level Dialogue is hosted by Türkiye, which will be represented by Ali Yerlikaya, the Turkish Minister of Interior. The dialogue will address a number of topics, such as migration management, legal migration and visa policy, efforts to combat illegal migration, including border management, fight against migrant smuggling, return and readmission, bilateral cooperation and cooperation with EU Agencies, the situation in Syria and security, including countering terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime.
This year's High-Level Dialogue follows the previous EU-Türkiye High-level dialogue on Migration and Security held in Brussels in November 2023. Türkiye is a key partner for the EU in managing migration along the Eastern Mediterranean route. The EU continues to engage with Türkiye to promote the full and effective implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement and the EU-Turkey readmission agreement.
(For more information: Markus Lammert - Tel: +32 229-67533; Elettra Di Massa – Tel: +32 229-82161)