Split/Brussels, 22 April 2020.
Member of the European Parliament Željana Zovko welcomed today’s announcement by the Commissioner for enlargement and neighbourhood Olivér Várhelyi and Commissioner for Economy Paulo Gentiloni on the adoption of macro-financial assistance package to support the countries of Western Balkans and neighbourhood partners. The announcement comes after the weekly meeting of the College of Commissioners and shows the continuing European support for the Western Balkans during the COVID-19 pandemic. It demonstrates that European Union is the greatest supporter and only reliable partner to the Western Balkans. In her capacity as EPP Vice-Coordinator for Committee on Foreign Affairs and member of Delegation for relations with Bosnia and Hercegovina and Kosovo, Zovko stated:
I welcome the Commission’s adoption of the proposal for a EUR 3 billion macro-financial assistance to help Western Balkans countries and neighbourhood partners to limit the economic consequences of the corona virus pandemic. From the proposed macro-financial assistance, EUR 250 million will go to Bosnia and Hercegovina to help combatting this unprecedented crisis. This support is crucial for keeping stability in the region and showing the continuing European support. I call on the European Parliament and the Council to swiftly agree on this important package.
Since the beginning of the coronacrisis, the European Union has allocated more than EUR 800 million to the Western Balkans countries to relieve the pressure on their economies and support the health systems. Besides that, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced the preparation of an emergency support package for third countries, of which EUR 700 million is earmarked for the Western Balkans countries.