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The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and the Council on the 6 billion Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, underpinning the Reform and Growth Planproposed by the Commission in November 2023. It constitutes an unprecedented offer to the Western Balkans to access some benefits of EU membership before accession. The Facility will provide increased financial assistance in exchange for socio-economic and fundamental reforms defined in ambitious Reform Agendas being prepared by the Western Balkan partners.

Ursulavon der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said:Enlargement is a key geostrategic priority. We want to bring the Western Balkans closer and faster to our Union. The 6 billion Facility agreed is a key step in that direction. By combining increased financial assistance and reforms, it will accelerate the progress of our Western Balkan partners on their EU path in advance of accession, foster their economic convergence and integrate them better in our Single Market.

Theoverall amount of the Facility for the period 2024-2027 is 6 billion.This amount is composed of 2 billion in grants and 4 billion in highly concessional loans. At least half of the overall envelope will be allocated through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), supporting infrastructure investments and connectivity, including transport, energy, green and digital transitions. The remaining part will be released as direct support to the national budgets.

Funds will be released twice a year, based on requests by the Western Balkan partners and following verification by the Commission and, where appropriate the EEAS, that all relevant conditions have been met. These conditions include payment conditions corresponding to qualitative and quantitative steps measuring progress and implementation results that have been agreed in the Reform Agendas, as well as general conditions related to macro-financial stability, sound public financial management, transparency, and oversight of the budget.

In case some conditions are not met, the Commission may suspend payments in part or in full depending on the condition. Following such a suspension and in case that Western Balkan partners do not fulfil the related conditions during a grace period of one year (or two years in the first year of implementation), the suspended amount will be withdrawn and may be redistributed among other beneficiaries in the subsequent years.

To finance the loan support, the European Union will raise 4 billion on the financial market until the end of 2027. The 2 billion of non-repayable support will be financed through additional resources from the Mid-Term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The political agreement reached is now subject to formal approval by the European Parliament and the Council. The Regulation of the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans will enter into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal.

The Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans is the financial instrument supporting the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, adopted in November 2023. The Growth Plan is a new instrument to accelerate the Western Balkans' preparations for EU membership by bringing forward some of its benefits ahead of accession with direct impact for citizens and businesses. This in turn should significantly accelerate the speed of the enlargement process and the growth of their economies. The Facility is complementary to EU assistance already provided through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA).

Commission Proposal for a Regulation establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans

Commission Communication on the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans

New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans (webpage)

Growth Plan factsheet

Enlargement is a key geostrategic priority. We want to bring the Western Balkans closer and faster to our Union. The 6 billion Facility agreed is a key step in that direction. By combining increased financial assistance and reforms, it will accelerate the progress of our Western Balkan partners on their EU path in advance of accession, foster their economic convergence and integrate them better in our Single Market.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

Supporting the socio-economic convergence of the Western Balkan partners is the best way to promptly bring our partner countries closer to the EU. This new 6 billion Facility will reinforce our financial assistance as we further facilitate the regions integration into the Single Market by increasing its competitiveness. With this Facility fully functioning, by the end of this MFF we will reach 90% aid intensity per inhabitant in the Western Balkans as cohesion policy does on average in the EU. Thus, by choosing the EU path, we offer real-time benefits to the regions people and businesses before its full integration.

Olivr Vrhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

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Commission welcomes political agreement on the 6 billion Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans - European Union

Armenia, the EU, and US have made a show of closer ties in the wake of what Armenians see as Russia's betrayal on Nagorno-Karabakh.

The US secretary of state Antony Blinken, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Brussels on Friday (5 April) to unveil a new Western aid package featuring 270m from the EU and $65m (60m) from the US.

The money is to protect Armenia's "economic and democratic resilience", for instance by modernising its energy grid and boosting grain harvests.

Part of it will also be spent on helping the 100,000 ethnic Armenian refugees pushed out from Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous exclave, which was reconquered by Azerbaijan in September last year in a historic defeat as Russian peacekeepers stood idly by.

Blinken spoke of a "moment of choice for the Armenian people and for its leaders" on Friday, regarding its recent overtures to the West.

Von der Leyen spoke of a "new chapter" in relations. "The European Union and Armenia are increasingly aligned in values and interest," she said.

Pashinyan said he shared her "vision of a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous future" for his country.

Friday's meeting was criticised by Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey whose foreign ministry said it would "undermine" efforts to finalise a peace deal between Yerevan and Baku by "excluding" the Azeri leader.

"This initiative ... will pave the way for the South Caucasus to become an area of geopolitical confrontation," Turkey said.

But Blinken also threw the US' weight into peace talks, alongside ongoing EU efforts, by phoning Azerbaijan president Ilham Alyiev ahead of the Brussels meeting to warn against any "increased tension on the border".

Nobody at the mini-summit mentioned the other elephant in the room Russia.

But speaking to media the same day, the US' top diplomat on Eurasian affairs, James O'Brien, said Russia had a "historic role, legacy role" in Armenia, while complaining of its ongoing anti-Western "disinformation".

"I hope it [Russia] can respect the choice of the Armenian people, as they choose economic reform and prosperity," O'Brien said.

Blinken's call with Aliyev on Armenia was "good and constructive", O'Brien said.

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Armenia had been planning to join Ukraine in 2013 in signing an EU association agreement, putting it on a path towards closer integration with the EU.

However, its then president Serzh Sargsyan joined a Russia-led economic bloc, the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), under Russian pressure instead.

But Russia's actions in the Nagorno-Karabakh war last year showed Armenia that Moscow's promises to keep it safe from Azerbaijan as enshrined in the region's Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) were hollow.

Luc Devigne, the head of the Russia department in the EU foreign service, told MEPs last September Russia was squarely to "blame" for events.

"Did any of these [2,000 Russian] peacekeepers do anything? Nothing. They didn't even put their armoured vehicles in the road ... passively to block the [Azerbaijan] military operation," Devigne said.

Meanwhile, Russia's EEU has been largely inactive, while the 2023 war saw Armenia freeze CSTO cooperation and start holding small-scale military drills with US soldiers.

Armenia's foreign minister said on Turkish TV in March that "new opportunities are largely being discussed in Armenia nowadays ... that includes membership in the European Union".

Armenia has "turned to the West", said Anders Fogh-Rasmussen, a former Nato chief who works as a consultant for the Armenian government, in an op-ed in French daily Le Monde on Thursday.

"While all eyes are focused on Russia's illegal war against Ukraine, another major geopolitical shift is happening in Europe, this time in the South Caucasus," he said.

Read more here:
Armenia siding with EU and US after Russian betrayal - EUobserver

The European Union and the United States have made a generous financial pledge to Armenia and reaffirmed their support for itssovereignty, democracy, territorial integrity, and socio-economic resilience.

President of the European Commission,Ursula von der Leyen, EU High Representative/Vice-President,Josep Borrell,Secretary of State of the United States of America,Antony Blinken, USAID AdministratorSamantha Power, and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia,Nikol Pashinyan, met today, April 5, 2024 in Brussels to reaffirm support for Armenia's sovereignty, democracy, territorial integrity, and socio-economic resilience.

A statement issued after the end of the meeting said:

"The European Union and the United States support a stable, peaceful, secure, democratic, and prosperous future for Armenia and the region. In this context, we aim to expand cooperation to strengthen Armenia's resilience, including in key sectors such political reforms, economic development and humanitarian support. We will look to expand our partnerships, for example, in mobility, governance, law enforcement, trade, connectivity, agriculture, energy, and technology. The European Union and the United States envisage stronger cooperation with Armenia to support these key sectors.

The European Union and the United States acknowledged the substantial progress Armenia has made since 2018 on democratic and justice reforms and the fight against corruption, and expressed a commitment to continue partnering with and supporting Armenia as it further strengthens its democracy and the rule of law, in line with our shared values and principles.

The EU will continue to support Armenia on its reform path through the implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA). In order to boost reforms and enhance cooperation in all areas, the EU and Armenia will make headway on the new EU-Armenia Partnership Agenda.

The United States is committed to helping Armenia and PM Pashinyan carry out envisioned reforms. The Biden Administration, working with the U.S. Congress, plans to provide over $65 million in fiscal year 2023 development assistance to Armenia.

The European Union and the United States welcomed Armenia's commitment to improved connectivity with the outside world, including the Crossroads of Peace initiative, which would promote shared prosperity and regional economic and trade diversification.

The EU and the US intend to provide further assistance to help the country mitigate risks, diversify its trade, and strengthen its economic and institutional resilience.

To underpin the new EU-Armenia Partnership Agenda, the EU will put forward a EUR 270 million Resilience and Growth Plan for Armenia for the period 2024-2027.

The EU's Resilience and Growth Plan for Armenia will aim at building up Armenia's socio-economic resilience, while supporting trade diversification. It will contribute to the long-term needs of displaced people. It will strengthen sectoral cooperation with Armenia, while stepping up support to regulatory alignment to unlock the full potential of the CEPA. The EU will continue to support key sectors from trade diversification, infrastructure development, and energy, to aviation safety.

President Von der Leyenalso referred to the benefits of the Economic and Investment Plan, launched in 2021, which already mobilized over EUR 550 million worth of investments through grants, blending and guarantees in Armenia. In line with the Economic and Investment Plan, the EU's Resilience and Growth Plan will step up support to strategic investments, in particular on connectivity infrastructure in transport, digital and energy, and invest in business development to boost jobs and economic growth. The Economic and Investment Plan has the potential to deliver economic dividends of peace including on regional connectivity, if and when conditions allow. The EU will also look at ways to support mobility.

The United States is working with Armenia in multiple sectors to enhance economic growth and reform, trade diversification and resilience. The United States will work with Armenia to attract further U.S. investment, streamline technology trade opportunities, increase cybersecurity cooperation, and expand technology infrastructure. The United States is committed to Armenia's safe, reliable, and secure energy future and is working to support energy diversification and explore the feasibility of new civil nuclear power options that prioritize the highest nuclear security, safety, and nonproliferation standards. The United States is committed to enhancing Armenia's food security as well as facilitating the flow of agricultural products across Armenia's borders.

Recognizing the continuing challenges that Armenia faces in supporting and socially including over 100,000 displaced persons and refugees, the European Union and the United States intend to continue providing support to Armenia in its efforts to provide housing, training, employment opportunities and psycho-social support to those who need it, and to ensure the dignified living conditions of displaced persons.

The EU swiftly mobilised EUR 18 million in humanitarian support and EUR 15 million in budget support since September 2023 to respond to the emergency and socio-economic needs of refugees. This brings the total allocation of humanitarian aid to the affected population to EUR 38,4 million since 2020. The EU stands with Armenia in addressing and supporting the long-term needs of refugees. The EU's Resilience and Growth Plan will also include budget support for the long-term economic and social inclusion of displaced people.

The United States has similarly announced more than $7 million in humanitarian support for displaced persons and refugees since September 2023. This funding brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance to nearly $31 million since September 2020. The U.S. assistance has provided life-saving food assistance, humanitarian protection, and emergency shelter and will continue to respond to the needs of the displaced persons and refugees. The United States will support Armenia's efforts to minimize the strain on public services and infrastructure, and facilitate social cohesion and economic development.

A prosperous, sovereign, and democratic Armenia that develops its own partnerships and freely sets its own course will contribute to regional stability and prosperity.

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EU and US make a generous financial pledge to Armenia as they affirm their support for its sovereignty, democracy ... - commonspace.eu

Brussels, BELGIUM EU and U.S. officials met this week as part of the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council in Brussels and Leuven. The discussion focused on joint actions on AI, including regular dialogues between responsible agencies on AI safety, 6G standards, semiconductors and quantum technologies.

We are encouraged to see that the European Union and the United States are making positive strides in boosting trade, economic security, and digital collaboration.

Todays transatlantic commitment to deepen collaboration on AI is a welcome step in advancing alignment on responsible AI.

In the months to come, we look forward to closer transatlantic engagement for both blocs to strengthen their shared vision and deliver more tangibles for deploying trusted emerging technologies on a global scale. The TTC has an important ongoing role to play.

We welcome progress made this week on aligning standards for 6G that could solidify the future of telecommunications networks as well as cooperation on AI. The details of this AI partnership between the U.S. and EU, particularly on standards, will be key to determining the utility of this dialogue. As TTC participants look to bring their work forward, the ability to find concrete joint solutions to divergent approaches will be what contributes to its durability.

CCIA is an international, not-for-profit trade association representing a broad cross section of communications and technology firms. As an advocate for a thriving European digital economy, CCIA Europe has been actively contributing to EU policy making since 2009. CCIAs Brussels-based team seeks to improve understanding of the industry and share the tech sectors collective expertise, with a view to fostering balanced and well-informed policy making in Europe. For more information, visit: @CCIAeuropeorhttps://ccianet.org/hub/europe.

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CCIA Statement on the Outcome of EU-U.S. Trade & Technology Council - CCIA - Computer and Communications Industry Association

The European Commission told Euronews Next that they expect to propose a European space law sometime in April.

Europe is on the verge of a new frontier with the creation of a possible new space law.

The European Commission is set to adopt a European Space Law (EUSL) sometime this month, a Commission spokesperson told Euronews Next.

The law, if passed, would regulate the ongoing developments in space, including traffic management, sustainability and cybersecurity.

Euronews Next takes a look at why this law is being proposed and what could be coming in the draft.

The European Commission has been working towards a space law for years.

The European Union started in 2021 with the launch of the EU Space Programme, a grouping together Europes many projects in space, including Copernicus, the Earth observation programme, and Galileo, Europes solution for GPS navigation from space.

In 2022, the bloc got even more involved in space. Early in the year, it recognised that space is a strategic domain and, in tandem, developed a strategic compass called the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence to defend the continents interests in space before 2030.

The strategy mentions for the first time the possibility of an EU space law to "provide a common framework" between countries.

At the same time, a group of European space ministers adopted conclusions about an approach to space traffic management, a policy issue that they describe as a priority because of the amount of debris in space.

The European Council estimates that more than one million pieces of debris are currently orbiting the Earth and that this debris could damage or destroy European satellites currently in operation.

The creation of the space programme IRIS2 means there will be hundreds more European satellites going into orbit in the next few years.

Developing an EU space law was also included in Commission President Ursula von der Leyens priorities for 2024.

The raison d'tre of the EU space law is to create a "true single market" for space, according to Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market.

There are 11 European countries with national space laws, including Belgium, France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine, according to the European Space Agency.

Breton said these "diverse" national laws are a "fragmented approach [that] prevents us from acting as a bloc with the necessary size to matter".

The proposal will work on three pillars: safe satellite traffic to avoid "increasing risk of collisions," protecting the EU infrastructures against cyber attacks and building Europes space sector as an "important enabler of services," according to the Commissions website.

The law could set minimum requirements for all space systems specifically on anti-collision, have regulations around how and when satellites could be taken down from orbit, and could include ways to mitigate cyber security risks.

"[The EU Space Law] is also a matter of security as in the current geopolitical context, the protection of our space system from systemic security risks is a must," Breton added.

On sustainability, the government said in its call for evidence that so far, the European Union does not have a viable way to measure the environmental footprint of space activities, including the emissions produced by space companies.

That means space companies might not be complying with other EU regulations on the environment.

According to a report in Politico, the draft law could include standards to curb light pollution and a label for companies.

None of the regulations that will be put in the new law will "limit EUs innovation and the potential of European startups," according to Breton.

Matija Rencelj, research manager at the European Space Policy Institute, said the new law is welcome so long as it considers what it could add to the laws that individual member states already have.

"There have been comments by Commissioner [Thierry] Breton about the need for a single market space, we need to assess that gap in terms of are we far away from a single European market," Rencelj said.

"What is important for us is to see how a space law can act as a conducive force towards creating new markets".

So far, Rencelj said certain parts of the European space market, like the satellite market, are not fragmented so much as dominated by a single player.

"We are not shying away from the idea that competition should be increased," Rencelj said.

This is a view shared by Eurospace, the trade association of the continents space industry.

In their submission to the Commission, they wrote that the space law should prioritise creating a stable legal framework for the blocs space activities that will, in turn, bring more investment and innovative research to the region.

"Industry expects the future legislative proposal to not risk fragilising its good position on the open markets," their submission reads.

Eurospace proposes that the law give preference to European companies that are looking to operate within the EU zone to protect them from "additional costs" that non-European actors might not have to face if the new law is put in place.

If done correctly, Rencelj said the new space law could be promising for all Europeans.

"Space is a domain where there are a lot of opportunities that still remain to be exploited," he said.

"A new space law can act as an important element that would enable Europe to benefit from all that," he added.

Continued here:
Europe may soon launch a new space law. What should we expect? - Euronews