Around 60 million euros in pre-financing from the European Union, foreseen under the Growth Plan for Kosovo, have not yet been disbursed, although the agreements were ratified two weeks ago in the Assembly. The European Commission confirms that Kosovo has submitted a request for the release of these funds and that procedures are being finalized. Deputies from both the ruling majority and the opposition are also awaiting the arrival of these millions for Kosovo.
A spokesperson for the European Commission told KosovaPress when the first funds for Kosovo are expected to be disbursed.
Among other things, the response highlights several political criteria, such as the necessity of respecting democratic mechanisms and constructive engagement in the process of normalizing relations with Serbia.
“Kosovo has submitted a request for the release of pre-financing of up to 7% of the total amount foreseen under this Instrument. Now that the agreements related to the Reform and Growth Instrument have been ratified, Kosovo is entitled to receive the pre-financing. Once these laws are officially promulgated and communicated to the Commission, and provided that the general conditions (macroeconomic stability, sound public financial management, transparency and budget oversight) and preconditions (respect for and implementation of democratic mechanisms, as well as constructive engagement in the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo) are met, the disbursement of funds under the Growth Plan can take place,” the response states.
Regarding other financial resources, the European Commission emphasizes that Kosovo has until June 30 to fulfill 13 foreseen reforms, as this date marks the end of the grace period. Failure to successfully report within the deadline risks the loss of this portion of financing.
“As for regular payment requests, we recall that Kosovo has until June 30 of this year to fulfill the 13 reforms, as this date marks the end of the grace period. If Kosovo fails to report successfully within the deadline, it risks losing this part of the financing,” the response notes.
From the parliamentary majority, Vetëvendosje Movement MP Driton Hyseni told KosovaPress that institutions are interested in having the funds disbursed as soon as possible, acknowledging that the process has been delayed due to the political deadlock in the country.
He underlined the need for concrete projects and fulfillment of criteria so that Kosovo can also secure the other funds foreseen in the Growth Plan.
“As Kosovo, we are interested in having such funds disbursed as soon as possible, since they have been delayed due to the political deadlock in the country. However, it is good that we are now at a stage where we have the necessary institutional decision-making, and I believe that soon EU officials will allocate these funds. But not only these funds, as we must also respond with projects that need to be submitted and fulfill the criteria as a country in order to receive the other funds foreseen in the Growth Plan,” he said.
On the other hand, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) MP Time Kadrijaj described the ratification of the agreements in the Assembly as essential, stressing that failure to approve them would have caused financial losses for the country. She called on the Government to ensure clarity in the budget allocation process and to determine priorities regarding where the obtained funds will be directed.
“It is good that they were voted on, because we would have lost a lot if they had not been approved in the Assembly. We met the deadline for the Growth Plan. Now the Government must take into account the processes and divisions regarding where that budget will be allocated,” she emphasized.
On February 13, the new legislature of the Assembly of Kosovo ratified the international agreements with the European Union.
The Growth Plan is a new EU framework aimed at accelerating reforms for the European integration of the entire region, combining reforms with direct financial contributions from EU funds to the budgets of beneficiary countries and investment projects. With the implementation of these reforms, Kosovo stands to benefit from up to 882.6 million euros in EU funds. Of this total amount, 253.3 million euros are grants, while the remaining 629.3 million euros are long-term loans.
