Albania and North Macedonia the first to receive EU Growth Plan disbursements

Albania and North Macedonia will be the first two countries in the Western Balkans to benefit from the EU’s new Growth Plan. The announcement came from EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos in a post on X, where she congratulated the two countries for being “at the forefront” of the region in advancing reforms.

Why is this important: The EU Growth Plan marks a new phase in the Union’s strategy to support economic development and structural reform in candidate countries. For Albania, this early disbursement is seen as both a financial boost and a political signal that reforms are being recognized by Brussels.

Context: Albania is set to receive a total of around €1 billion from the Growth Plan. The first tranche amounts to €64.5 million: €30 million will go directly into the state budget to support reform implementation, and €34.5 million will be managed via the Western Balkans Investment Framework to fund infrastructure projects.

In his social media communication with citizens, called Eye to Eye, Prime Minister Edi Rama described the disbursement as a result of Albania’s performance and reform efforts. “Speed in this new growth plan means meeting deadlines and obligations on time, according to the agreed roadmap,” he said.

According to Rama, EU membership is not only seen as essential countries like Albania, but is also increasingly viewed by EU citizens as vital. “For the first time since 1983, 74% of Europeans support the EU. They’ve felt the threat of fragmentation and agree that EU unity guarantees peace and security,” he said.

What else: The Prime Minister used the occasion to repeat familiar points about justice reform, claiming that he and the Socialist Party are solely responsible for its success, while accusing the unified opposition of wanting to dismantle it.

He also announced that diaspora outreach will resume, with visits to Crete and Athens planned for March 29-30 and a meeting in Milan scheduled for April 13.