The European Union and Council of Europe signed Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey (hereafter referred to as “Horizontal Facility”) on 23 May 2016. The Horizontal Facility builds on the Council of Europe and EU Policy priorities in the context of the Western Balkans and Turkey and on the Council of Europe expertise in standard-setting, monitoring and cooperation methodologies. It aims to improve implementation of key recommendations of relevant Council of Europe monitoring and advisory bodies in the areas indicated in the Statement of Intent signed on 1 April 2014 by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy. Phase I of the Horizontal Facility begun on 24 May 2016 and lasted until 24 May 2019. It is succeeded by Phase II of the Horizontal facility which is planned to last until 24 May 2022.