The European Commission is awaiting official notification from Kosovo regarding the entry into force of the ratified international agreements, in order to begin disbursing pre-financing payments under the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

According to Radio Free Europe, an EC spokesperson said that Kosovo has requested the release of up to 7% of the total pre-financing amount from the Reform and Growth Instrument for the Western Balkans. Following the ratification of reform-related agreements by the Assembly of Kosovo, the country qualifies to receive the initial funds.

“Once the laws are officially promulgated and this is communicated to the Commission, and provided that the general conditions are met — macroeconomic stability, sound public financial management, transparency and budget oversight — as well as the preconditions including respect for democratic mechanisms and constructive engagement in the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, the funds can be released,” the statement said.

According to the Instrument’s regulation, the general conditions and preconditions are assessed before each payment, meaning that pre-financing funds will be disbursed only after confirmation that the criteria have been fulfilled. This rule applies to all beneficiary states under the Growth Plan.

On February 13, the new legislature of the Assembly ratified the international agreements with the European Union, totaling €882 million.

The EU’s package for the Western Balkans for the 2024–2027 period amounts to €6 billion. Of this total, Kosovo is allocated approximately €882 million — €253 million in grants and €629 million in loans — making it the largest per capita beneficiary in the region.

Two additional agreements have also been ratified: one enabling the implementation of the Growth Plan package and the Reform Agenda, and another related to the loan agreement.