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European Commission

European Commission
Enlargement
Balkans communication

Western Balkans Communication - 5 March 2008

On 5 March 2008 the Commission adopts new initiatives, and enhances existing ones, to help accelerate the progress of the Western Balkans on the road towards EU membership. The Commission proposals support the political and economic development in the Western Balkan countries; other measures aim to promote people-to-people contacts and familiarise the citizens in the Western Balkans with the EU.

Commission Communication on the Western Balkans - 5 March 2008 [227 KB]
/ Annex [298 KB]

Press Material

Press Release: Western Balkans - enhancing the European perspective (IP 08/378)
Press conference: Western Balkans - enhancing the European perspective: joint press conference by EC Vice-President Jacques BARROT and Commissioner Olli REHN on 5 March 2008 11h15 (Europa By Satellite)

Facts sheets on:

Financial assistance to the Western Balkans – Donor cooperation

Regional cooperation: an overview of main initiatives

Towards visa-free travel

Support to civil society – a new financial facility under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)

Scholarships to students from the Western Balkans and participation in Community programmes and agencies

Cooperation on disaster prevention, preparedness and response

Finance and Trade

	EU financial assistance, focused on the major challenges facing the candidate countries and potential candidates, is supporting their reform effort on their path towards the EU.
MIFF (2009-2011)	The multi-annual indicative financial framework (MIFF) for the Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) is designed to provide information on the Commission's intentions in terms of indicative financial allocations by IPA beneficiary and component.
IPA	Frequently Asked Questions on the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)
Selected Projects	The projects are funded under various programmes agreed between the European Commission and the authorities of the countries concerned.


Western Balkans	Trade policy with the Western Balkans is an essential instrument to contribute to the economic development and stabilisation in the region
Candidate Countries	Trade relations between the EU and Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey

Regional Cooperation

[4 MB]

Regional cooperation in south-eastern Europe is essential, regardless of the different stage of integration of the various countries, and an important criterion for the European course of the western Balkan countries. The stability, prosperity and security of the region are of significant interest to the EU.

Further reading and debate

	Photos from the countries engaged in the present enlargement agenda: Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo (under UN Security Council Resolution 1244/99)
[5 MB]	Brochure explaining EU policy on enlargement for the general public. (Print version will be available end 2007)
	about the candidate countries and the potential candidatse of the Western Balkans, enlargement and the EU.
	EC Delegations to Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and EC Liaison Office in Kosovo under UN Security Council Resolution 1244/99
	EU activities on enlargement
	EU at a glance

Have your say! The Commission's invitation to you to discuss with us your ideas, hopes and worries for Europe's future, including EU enlargement.

Last update: 30/10/2010 | Top