Skip to navigation

Skip to content

Albania, Serbia and Montenegro, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Bosnia Herzegovina

The European Investment Bank has been active in the countries of South Eastern Europe for several years and is progressively increasing its long-term lending in the region.

EIB financing in Albania, Serbia and Montenegro, FYROM and Bosnia and Herzegovina helps the countries to:

  • meet EU accession criteria
  • participate in the EU's economic development

On 17 December 2005 the European Council decided to grant the status of Candidate Country to FYROM.

Key Figures
  • In 2006: EUR 412.5 million, representing a record level in the region
  • Total lending since 1995: EUR 2.1bn
Sectoral Activity

When the Bank started operations in the Western Balkans in 1999 within the framework of the Stability Pact, lending was focused on reconstruction in the transport sector.

The main focus of EIB lending in the region is:

  • upgrading of the infrastructure networks, with an emphasis on fostering regional integration and removing bottlenecks in road and rail systems (62% of lending since 1995)
  • support to the energy sector, including the rehabilitation and modernisation of power transmission as well as distribution networks (13% of lending since 1995)
  • support to SMEs (17% of lending since 1995)

Since 2001, however, lending has spread to other sectors, such as:

  • health and education (4% of lending since 1995)
  • improving the environment and quality of life (3% or lending since 1995)
Cooperation with other institutions

The EIB co-finances major projects in the region with other International Financial Institutions, particularly the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank, as well as with bilateral donors.

The EIB also continues its close cooperation with the European Commission and the European Agency for Reconstruction in order to prepare and co-finance projects with EU budgetary contribution provided by the new EU Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).

Outlook

While continuing its support for reconstruction and upgrading of the regional and municipal networks of basic infrastructure (transport, energy and the environment), the EIB plans to increase its assistance to the private sector and lend more in the health and education sectors in the coming years.