First Meeting of the Monitoring Committee on the Reform and Growth Facility, between the EU and North Macedonia
The first meeting of the Monitoring Committee on the implementation of the Reform and Growth Facility was organised on 2 July 2024 in Skopje. This was the first such exchange in the region.
The meeting was co-chaired, for the European Commission, by Mr. Giulio Venneri, Deputy Head of Unit for Albania and North Macedonia, Directorate General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, and for North Macedonia, by Mr. Orhan Murtezani, Minister for European Affairs and National RGF Coordinator.
Following the approval of the Growth Plan and Reform Agenda in 2024, and with the implementation phase ongoing, both sides discussed the progress made and challenges related to the reform steps. The national authorities agreed on the importance to pursue with even greater determination all outstanding reform targets, as well as to ensure proper monitoring of the process of budgeting and reporting, while guaranteeing transparency throughout. The need for strong political steer and increased national ownership remains vital to ensure tangible and timely results.
A meaningful contribution to the monitoring of the Reform Agenda implementation by an empowered civil society has been highlighted as key. Inclusivity is essential to accelerate further achievement on EU related reforms, socio-economic stabilisation and overall transparency, which can amplify citizens’ voices and provide continued expert input.
By end of July 2025, the Commission will issue the formal assessment of the reforms that were due by December 2024. Following this, the Commission will proceed with the release of funds based on achievement of steps. This will come in addition to the EUR 24.4 million already disbursed to the treasury as loan pre-financing in March 2025 out of the 52.5 million, while the remaining 28.1 million (grant and loan) is allocated in the WBIF. The rules of procedure of the RGF Monitoring Committee and the joint conclusions from today’s first meeting will be published in the following days.
Background information
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