Kosovo and Serbia will benefit from the first payment in the framework of the European Union Growth Plan, after they have made a statement regarding the normalization process, says the EU ambassador to Kosovo, Aivo Orav.

Orav, in an interview for KosovaPress, emphasizes that the disbursement of the first million euros will be made at the end of this year, but underlines that before each future payment, an assessment will be made for the implementation of agreements resulting from the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia.

According to him, the Growth Plan for the six countries of the Western Balkans is an innovative project of the European Union.

He emphasizes that Kosovo will benefit a lot and it is a good opportunity to push forward the reforms on the path of integration towards the EU.

Speaking about the European Union's punitive measures against Kosovo; he said that he does not know when they will be lifted, as there is still no consensus among the 27 member countries for such a thing.

He asks the Government of Kosovo to work with the EU member countries and convince them that now is the right moment to lift the measures.

According to him, the situation in the north is still quite volatile and fragile.

On the other hand, Orav considers it necessary the coordination of the government with allies regarding the opening of the Iber Bridge.

As for Kosovo's application to obtain the status of a candidate country for EU membership, Orav says that until now there is no consensus among the EU member states for giving the green light to Kosovo.