In October 2020 the European Commission adopted its annual Enlargement Package, assessing the reform progress in the Enlargement countries. The package bases on a new enhanced methodology in which the fundamentals (rule of law, economic criteria and public administration reform) take a central role. Sufficient progress will need to be achieved on those before other accession chapters can be discussed. Some highlights from the assessment and the reform recommendations to the candidate and potential candidate countries are:
- The rule of law area remains a significant challenge. Slow pace of reforms in judiciary continues throughout the Western Balkans region without sufficient commitment to the principle of judicial independence. In this area the Commission notes good progress in North Macedonia and Albania, no progress in Serbia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and limited progress in Kosovo and Montenegro. Furthermore, the report notes that robust results in the fight against corruption are needed as well as urgent efforts in defending freedom of expression and independence of the media throughout the region;
- Functioning of democratic institutions - the Commission notes that the functioning of democratic systems in the Western Balkans are weakened by strong political polarisation, limited space for the oppositions' democratic control, and in some cases, opposition boycotts of elections.
- Role of Regional and Local Authorities - the Commission reporting recognises that the role of regional and local authorities in the EU alignment process and in the application of EU rules needs to be taken into account. An appropriate balance between central, regional and local government needs to be ensured.
- Investment Plan for the Western Balkans - Together with the Enlargement Package this year the Commission also adopted comprehensive Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, which will support the long-term recovery after COVID-19, induce sustainable economic growth and deliver on implementation of necessary reforms. The plan mobilises up to €9 billion of funding for the region from the Pre-Accession Instrument IPA III for the period 2021-2027. The availability of EU funding will be performance-based and reform oriented. In addition, EU intends to provide guarantees through the Western Balkans Guarantee facility, which can potentially mobilise investments of up to €20 billion in the next ten years. The key areas of economic development support in the plan are sustainable transport and energy connectivity, the green and digital transformation, strengthening the competitiveness of the private sector and support to health, education and social protection, including a youth guarantee to create job opportunities.

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