(ANSA) - BRUXELLES, 05 LUG - EU Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn, announced in Wien a new EU guarantee scheme for SMEs with up to 150 million euros. The programme should be kicked off at the beginning of 2019 with a selection of entrepreneurial projects, then the start of funding is scheduled for 2020. The 6 Western Balkans' leaders and ministers, along with leaders and ministers of the EU countries of the 'Berlin process' (Italy, Germany, Austria, France, Croatia and Slovenia, in addition to the United Kingdom and Poland) will discuss the details of the financial programme and the socio-economic investments that the region needs to make progress and get closer to EU during the Western Balkans summit on 9th and 10th July in London.

"We're committed to providing this money 'til the end of 2020 and I hope that after the expiring of the current multiannual financial framework there will be an opportunity to extend this guarantee scheme", Commissioner Hahn said.(ANSA).