On Oct. 6 the EU published “An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans” which is filled with European Green Deal rhetoric and practically no hard infrastructure projects. The word “sustainability” is mentioned in every aspect. The basic principle in the paper is: “no reforms, no money.” The reforms are the usual good governance, human rights, economic reform, anti corruption etc, all geared to a path set out to be admitted into the EU. The paper was probably published in response to the Kosovo-Serbia deal which, if the U.S. keeps its promises, could enable the non-EU countries to evade some of the demands of the EU and finance what the EU refuses to.
The actual funding is given in numbers that are typically prefixed with the words “up to” of “contingent on.” For instance, they write, “Subject to adoption of the next multiannual Financial Framework and the related legal bases, the commission proposes to mobilize up to EU9 billion ... to support economic convergence with the EU primarily through investments and support to competitiveness and inclusive growth, sustainable connectivity and twin green and digital transition.” To translate into truthful language, “up to EU9 billion” can mean anywhere between one euro and EU9 billion, since none of this has been officially approved and is only a proposal. And we all know what “sustainable” and “Green” mean. Throughout the report, it is the “European Green Deal” which is their “blueprint” — in order to get the money and gain admission to the EU they “will need to pursue the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ... the Paris Climate Agreement” etc. While accompanying the report is a “staff Working Document setting out a Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.” All of which has to be accomplished with “EU standards and the acquis.'’ It goes without saying that nuclear energy is not mentioned, but only “renewable hydrogen, advanced solar and wind, batteries and carbon capture” all of which are very expensive.
There are no “green field projects” which are totally new infrastructure projects. They will have to eliminate their coal-fired power stations and replace them with “sustainable” wind and solar, but also gas. As for hydro, there is mention of rehabilitation of some facilities and the expansion of a few others, but no green field projects.
