Kosovo will benefit from €205 million in financial aid from the European Union following the removal of sanctions. The European Commission told KosovaPress that it will now proceed with the release of this amount and outlined which projects Kosovo will receive funding for.
According to them, the final upcoming release of funds will include €74 million for projects under the annual IPA 2021 and 2022 programs, and €131 million for projects under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
“Following a conclusion of internal procedures, we confirm that the Commission can now proceed with the release of the remaining €205 million of financial assistance. The next final release of funding will include: EUR 74 million of projects under IPA 2021 and 2022 annual programmes as well as EUR 131 million in projects under Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF),” said European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper to KosovaPress.
She added that the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) will strengthen their engagement with Kosovo authorities.
“Kosovo is now also expected to double down on implementation of much-needed EU-related reforms and to advance on its obligations undertaken in the EU-facilitated Dialogue. The EU will continue to follow and assess the situation very closely,” she said.
KosovaPress also asked the Kosovo government about the main benefits for Kosovo after the removal of sanctions, but so far no response has been received.
On the other hand, European integration expert Gazmend Qorraj told KosovaPress that besides financial benefits, the country could also gain politically from the lifting of sanctions.
“These are positive and long-awaited news, because the funds and financial amounts have been coordinated and planned for Kosovo. Mainly, it concerns IPA funds, which are planned for the 2021-2027 period, IPA III. There are also other programs that are normally agreed upon and Kosovo can benefit from them. Beyond this, it is good news and there could be progress also in the political aspect. I think the EU now also has a different approach with the removal of these financial sanctions,” he said.
The European Union (EU) imposed sanctions on Kosovo in 2023. The measures were introduced in response to tensions in northern Kosovo, populated mostly by Serbs, after Albanian mayors in the four northern municipalities took office.
