Infrastructure solutions in the western Balkans

14.11.2013

Question for written answer E-012954-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Monica Luisa Macovei (PPE)

On 5 November 2013 the Commission and international financial institutions agreed to ‘intensify their cooperation for innovative infrastructure solutions in the western Balkans’. In order to do this, the Commission announced its intention to use the western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), with funding of up to EUR 1 billion provided by the pre-accession assistance fund.

In the last four and a half years the WBIF has provided an estimated total investment of EUR 13.3 billion. Investment projects are defined and proposed by the beneficiary countries in any sector that contributes to the economic, social and environmental development of the western Balkans.

With such a large amount of funds available to support the western Balkans,

1. what measures are in place to prevent the possibility of corruption and misuse of Union funds by beneficiaries?

2. what is the timetable for when the committed EUR 1 billion will be available to the beneficiaries?

OJ C 231, 17/07/2014