"Assistance for countries ahead of joining the EU – predicted to reach approximately €11 billion in the next seven years – underpins our enlargement policy in the Western Balkans and Turkey, helping countries to meet EU standards.

"Thanks to the input of the European Parliament, the follow-up regulation (IPA II) lays the ground for more targeted and flexible assistance, aiming to empower local institutions and rewarding real progress in applying reform. Pre-accession assistance will also be more closely aligned with the EU's political priorities for countries joining the EU, especially the strengthening of the rule of law and safeguarding fundamental rights."

Zdroj: www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu, 11.12.2013