Enlargement Package 2023
On 8 November 2023, the European Commission adopted its 2023 Enlargement Package, providing a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by the Western Balkans, Türkiye, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine on their respective paths towards the European Union, with a particular focus on implementing fundamental reforms, as well as clear guidance on the reform priorities ahead.
New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans
On 08 November 2023, the European Commission also adopted a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, with the aim of bringing some of the benefits of membership to the region in advance of accession, boost economic growth and accelerate much needed socio-economic convergence. The objective should be to enable partners to step up reforms and investments to significantly accelerate the speed of the enlargement process and the growth of their economies. For this, a new €6 billion Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans has been proposed for the period 2024-2027.
Support for Ukraine
The EU stands united in its solidarity with Ukraine and will continue to support Ukraine and its people together with its international partners, including through political, financial and humanitarian support as long as needed.
The EU has reacted swiftly and decisively against Russia’s aggression by adopting unprecedented packages of sanctions targeting the Russian economy and financial system, the Kremlin media machine and its corrupt elite.
Latest news
Today, the European Union launched three EU-supported investment programmes valued at €700+ million which will mobilise €6.3 billion in public and private investments, taking a big step towards closing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) investment gap.
As the escalation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel continues, today the European Commission has announced a further €30 million in humanitarian aid to help those most in need in Lebanon.
Starting next spring, thousands of 18-year-olds will have the opportunity to explore Europe at no cost. The Commission has just opened the applications for the latest round of the DiscoverEU initiative.
Yesterday, the EU coordinated the first medical evacuation operation directly from Gaza, transferring eight patients in urgent need of care to Romania, along with 24 accompanying relatives.
