The European Commission is reportedly withholding disbursement of Serbia’s Growth Plan funding following concerns over recently adopted judicial laws that raised questions regarding judicial independence and alignment with EU rule of law standards. The reported decision reflects the increasingly conditional nature of EU financial support under the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, where access to funding is tied to reform implementation, democratic governance, and compliance with fundamental EU values. The case illustrates how enlargement-related financial instruments are being used not only to support economic convergence, but also to reinforce accountability and institutional reforms linked to the accession process. It also signals growing scrutiny of governance commitments and the role of conditionality mechanisms in shaping EU engagement with candidate countries. Read more here.
Source: European Western Balkans