The European Court of Auditors has found that the connection of the Western Balkans to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) is unlikely to be completed by 2030 due to delays and shortcomings in the selection and monitoring of projects. The audit examined the European Commission’s (EC) support through the Investment Framework for the Western Balkans. Between 2015 and mid-2025, the EC paid out EUR 527 million for transport projects in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. According to the report, whilst the projects generally met the needs of the region and the European Union, they started on average 17 months late. In many cases, further delays of more than two years occurred during implementation. The Court of Auditors criticised the EC for failing to adequately monitor the progress of the corridors and compliance with EU standards. In some cases, more money was disbursed than was justified by the progress of construction. Furthermore, some grants were unnecessary because loans had already been agreed before the funding application was submitted. The Court of Auditors also expressed doubts about the sustainability of several projects due to a lack of funds for follow-up investments and maintenance.
