The EU Growth Plan provides a clear path forward by allocating EUR 6 billion to the Western Balkans, of which nearly EUR 1.6 billion are earmarked for Serbia, Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Serbia, said during the cross-border conference as part of BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project. The conference took place at the BTA National Press Club here on Friday.
The EU remains committed to strengthening cooperation with Serbia in order to maximize the impact of these programmes and reinforce European values, Halacheva emphasised, adding that the EU initiative in Serbia aims to accelerate the accession process, stimulate economic growth and deepen integration with regional and European markets.
She stressed that the EU firmly supports Serbia and its citizens on the path to their European home and that achieving this goal requires sustainable reforms, political will and a willingness to address the challenges along the way.
Halacheva noted that territorial, social and economic cohesion are part of the EU's mission, promising equality for all Europeans, so that all EU regions have the opportunity to prosper and benefit from the EU's single market.
She drew attention to the great role of the cross-border Interreg programmes, which play a key role in the convergence of EU policy and promote territorial cooperation at regional and local level. These programmes build solidarity, trust and a common European identity, Halacheva stated.
BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. The project kicked off with a conference in Veliki Preslav in November 2024. Until September 2025, BTA will host discussions at its press clubs in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
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