The Government has today decided on a new seven-year-long strategy for Sweden’s reform cooperation with the Western Balkans and Turkey. The continued collaboration with the countries in the region shall strengthen the conditions for a democratic and inclusive development. The collaboration with the Western Balkan includes Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
With the new strategy, Sweden will intensify its efforts to work with human rights, democracy, rule of law, gender equality, inclusive economic development and environment and climate change. The Swedish support shall also focus on peaceful and inclusive societies, as well as build broad and long-term relations between Sweden and the countries in the region.
”The development in EU:s neighbourhood is of importance to Sweden and the EU. It is in the interest of Sweden to continue to collaborate with the countries of the Western Balkan in order to contribute to a democratic development with human rights, gender equality and the rule of law in focus”; says Per Olsson Fridh, Minister for International Development Cooperation.
The funding for the new strategy for 2021-2027 is 560 MEURO in total, split into 500 MEURO for Western Balkan and 60 MEURO for Turkey.
Sweden is one of the biggest bilateral donors to the countries in the Western Balkan region. The Swedish support complements the work of the EU in areas which are prioritised by Sweden. According to the strategy, Sweden shall also continue to contribute to the EU’s support to the countries’ work with the reform agenda and for their EU approximation. Support to the civil society is central for a democratic development and is also important for Sweden’s support to all the countries within the strategy.
The strategy for reform collaboration is decided by the Swedish government but will be implemented by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Swedish Institute, Folke Bernadotte Academy and the Consulate General in Istanbul.
In the Republic of Serbia, Sweden will now initiate an inclusive process to operationalise the new strategy. Sweden will invite local stakeholders to take part in this process.
