(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, 19 MAR - EU Ministers agreed today on continuing to provide assistance for candidate countries with the pre-accession funds (Ipa III) over the period 2021-2027 to help them align with EU values and policies.

The pre-accession assistance is expected to be included in the next EU budget to help the candidate countries (Western Balkans and Turkey) to increase their competitiveness in key reforms areas and sectors ranging from connectivity to SMEs, from energy efficiency to digital. The States that strive to join the EU must comply with some core criteria ('Copenhagen criteria') focused on the respect of the rule of law and fundamental rights, as well as progressing in economic governance and strengthening democratic institutions and public administration.

The funds will be allocated based on the actual performance of candidate countries on the basis of an EU annual assessment. The text approved today refers to the possibility of reducing assistance or temporarily suspending it in in cases of regression or persistent lack of progress of the candidate countries.

This agreement opens the way for the Presidency to begin negotiations with the next European Parliament.