Press Release: EU Conference on renewed financial assistance to countries wishing to join

The European Commission hosted a conference in Brussels on 25 January 2013 to discuss preparations for the new Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance for the period 2014-2020 (IPA II). The conference focused on how to provide efficient and constructive support to the Western Balkans, Turkey and Iceland on their path towards EU membership.

The key issues addressed during the conference include the priorities for future assistance and details on the new simplified rules, how to improve ownership by the beneficiary countries, and how best to coordinate with stakeholders. The conference also aimed to establish a roadmap for planning and programming under the new instrument.