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Connecting the EU and the Western Balkans

The EU is building strong links with the Western Balkans regions through transport investments, financial support for reforms, the Erasmus+ programme, trade exchanges, and solidarity in times of crises.

Connecting the EU and the Western Balkans

EU invests in transport infrastructure

The EU provided €333 million for transport projects (2014-2017), which generated €934 million private investments.

EU financially supports political & economic reforms

The EU provides pre-accession assistance for Western Balkans partners

Pre-accession assistance for each partner in 2017 (€ million)

  • Albania: 92.9
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina: 43.7
  • North Macedonia: 94.9
  • Kosovo: 91.9
  • Montenegro: 39.5
  • Serbia: 215.4

EU is the #1 trading partner in the region

Western Balkans trade with the world:

  • EU= 73% of the region's total trade
  • China: 5.8%
  • Russia: 4.8%

More opportunities for young people

+18 000 young people from the Western Balkans worked and studied in the EU thanks to the Erasmus+ programme in 2015-2016.

+7 000 students and staff from the EU have worked and studied in the Western Balkans since 2014

The EU helps Western Balkans during crises

The EU and its member states have provided financial aid and material support to their Western Balkans partners affected by natural disasters

  • Disaster relief aid for Bosnia and Herzegovina after the 2014 floods: €41 million
  • Disaster relief aid for Albania after 2015 floods: €17,9 million

Connectivity was one of the key themes at the EU-Western Balkans summit in 2018. To find more about the summit, see:

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