Arsovski: The EU has no favorites in the Balkans, the pace of Growth Plan payments is driven by reform priorities

Analyst from Skopje, Petar Arsovski, stated that the disbursement pace of funds from the Growth Plan is determined by the pace at which each candidate country implements reforms, and that the European Commission, by withholding the first tranche, has sent a clear message to Kosovo that it needs to accelerate its reform priorities.

"The main message the European Commission wants to convey through the disbursement dynamics of the Growth Plan is that it depends solely on the preparedness of the candidate countries. The implementation of reform priorities and their adoption in Brussels is what dictates the payment schedule. Brussels wants to send the message that, at this moment, it is dealing with meritocracy, not political favorites in the Balkans," Arsovski told Kosovo Online.

Commenting on the fact that Kosovo is the only country in the Western Balkans that has not received the first tranche from the Growth Plan, Arsovski said that this is the key message.

"The key message sent to Kosovo is that it needs to speed up its reform priorities and communication in order to receive the first tranche of funds. I believe that the political issues Serbia faces in negotiations with the EU do not affect the Growth and Development Plan, but rather it is a form of technical support. The main message is that Kosovo needs to establish its own reform priorities," the analyst clarified.

When asked whether similar "political messages" will accompany the disbursement of the remaining tranches of Growth Plan funds, Arsovski said this will depend on the "absorption capacity" of the first tranche, that is, the ability of state administrations to plan and implement external assistance.

"The European Commission has stated that the disbursement of the second tranche will depend not only on the confirmation of new reform priorities and reform agendas, but also on the absorption capacity of the first tranche, provided it proves effective, of course. North Macedonia is a step ahead of other countries and can expect the second tranche," Arsovski believes.