In a joint AFET-BUDG committee meeting on 14 July 2026, MEPs scrutinised the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, with DG NEAR Director General Gert Jan Koopman reporting that 57% of reform steps are achieved but results diverge sharply across the region. Koopman noted that Montenegro and Albania are at roughly 80% implementation, North Macedonia is catching up at over 50%, Serbia stands at about 35%, while Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina lag due to internal political blockages. For Bosnia, Koopman confirmed funds have been cut and reallocated to innovation, urging decentralised reforms. Željana Zovko (EPP, Croatia) pressed for more help to Bosnia, calling the situation 'shameful'. Tonino Picula (S&D, Croatia) questioned Serbia's disbursements, noting the EP report urging a halt; Koopman acknowledged general conditions are not fully met and payments are pending, but defended opening Cluster 3 citing recent progress on media oversight and Venice Commission recommendations. Matjaž Nemec (S&D, Slovenia) demanded a timeline to permanently reallocate Serbia's funds if targets are missed. Angéline Furet (PfE) questioned the €6 billion envelope, warning of fraud and delocalisation; Koopman rejected this, stressing rule-of-law conditionality and recovery tools. Şerban-Dimitrie Sturdza (ECR, Romania) called for more ambition on enlargement and minority rights. Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA, Netherlands) pressed for strict conditionality on Serbia's Venice Commission compliance and on Albania's environmental standards; Koopman insisted Serbia has addressed backsliding and that the merit-based principle cuts both ways. Next steps: the Commission will continue monitoring performance and conditionality, with possible further reallocations by year-end. Affected stakeholders: Western Balkan governments, EU institutions, local businesses, and civil society.
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EU Matrix analysis