Implement relevant EU water-related acquis (Water Framework Directive, Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and Nitrates Directive)

According to the 2025 GARI, alignment of domestic-level water legislation with the EU water acquis has progressed gradually, though disparities between WB6 remain significant. Albania adopted a new Law on Water Resources in April 2024, bringing its framework closer to the EU Drinking Water Directive, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and the Nitrates Directive, with implementing regulations and River Basin Management Plans as further steps. Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to prepare draft Laws on Water Services at both entity levels, not yet adopted as of December 2025. In Kosovo*, actions under the 2023–2027 Water Strategy continue to advance. Montenegro continues to prepare a new Law on Water Services, not yet adopted as of 2025, with full alignment with the Water Framework Directive still pending. In North Macedonia, River Basin Management Plans and the upgraded water monitoring strategy have not been adopted, while the 2025 water management programme was adopted. In Serbia, the Water Management Strategy (2017–2034) remains the central framework, with secondary legislation for alignment with the Water Framework, Urban Wastewater and Nitrates Directives ongoing in 2025. Across the region, implementation of these directives remains incomplete, with persistent gaps in ecological monitoring, wastewater coverage and agricultural pollution control.

Note: Action 39 of the first Green Agenda Action Plan (2021–2030) is retained in the Revised Action Plan (2025–2030) and further specified through two actions. Action 26a) focuses on the full transposition of the EU water acquis by 2030. Action 26b) focuses on implementing measures to achieve good status for all water bodies, including developing River Basin Management Plans and coordinating actions to de-pollute wastewater and protect river basins.