The European Commission adopted a financial plan for supporting countries with candidate or potential candidate status, in order to strengthen political and economic reforms and development.
The assistance is intended for improvements in the areas of administration, law and order, economic and social development, harmonisation of laws with EU legislation and strengthening capacities for implementing laws.
A multipurpose programme will support joint projects in areas such as economic and social development, student exchange, support to the civil society, administrative and judicial reforms, fight against organised crime and corruption and lowering disaster risk.
The assistance will improve and strengthen links between neighbouring countries, including countries that are EU members, through cross-border cooperation projects.