At the EU-Western Balkans summit, the leaders of the European Union, with the consent of the leaders of the Western Balkans, adopted a Declaration which contains several points related to the Action Plan for the Green Agenda.
The European Union has published an Economic and Investment Plan and guidelines for implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. According to the plan, 30 billion euros will be allocated for the region in the next seven years. The amount of the grants will be 9 billion euros, while the rest of the funds will be invested through the new Guarantee Facility for the Western Balkans. As pointed out, this plan should encourage long-term green socio-economic recovery, and have an impact on the green and digital transition by connecting the region.
For the successful implementation of the goals from the Green Agenda, it is necessary to move to carbon-neutral and climate-resistant economies, a very important role is played by the application of the principles of circular economy, as well as the fight against pollution and improved waste management.
President of the European Commission Ursula von de Layen said on the occasion that Serbia needs help to improve wastewater management so that the Danube can be clean all the way to the Black Sea. When it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the closure of coal-fired power plants and their replacement with clean alternatives was discussed.
Also, it was agreed that Western Balkans countries would align with the European Climate Law which envisages achieving climate neutrality by 2025, as well as the harmonization with the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) by 2024.
