Kosovo and the European Union have held the first meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the Reform and Growth Facility, a key mechanism supporting Kosovo’s reform agenda and economic development.
The meeting was co-chaired by Jeton Zulfaj and Jiri Plecity. It brought together representatives of Kosovo’s institutions, the European Commission, civil society organizations, trade unions, businesses, local authorities, EU member states, and development partners.
Key Topics Discussed
Participants reviewed progress in implementing Kosovo’s Reform Agenda, focusing on several priority areas:
- Public administration reform
- Public financial management
- Rule of law
- Green and digital transition
- Private sector development
- Education and skills development
The committee also discussed the implementation framework of the Reform and Growth Facility, projects financed through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, auditing and control mechanisms, and the role of civil society in monitoring reforms.
111 Reform Steps
Both sides emphasized the importance of implementing all 111 reform measures outlined in Kosovo’s Reform Agenda and fully utilizing the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
Kosovo reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating reforms and strengthening institutional capacities, while the European Commission welcomed the progress achieved so far and stressed the need for timely implementation.
A particularly important message from Brussels was that some reforms require action from:
- A fully functional Assembly;
- A Government with a full mandate.
This comes at a time when Kosovo is in the process of forming new institutions following the June 7 elections.
€882.6 Million Available for Kosovo
According to the joint statement, the European Union has invested more than €3.7 billion in Kosovo since 1999.
Under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, Kosovo is expected to receive €882.6 million, consisting of:
- One-third in grants;
- Two-thirds in concessional loans.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to institutionalize the role of civil society within the Monitoring Committee and continue close cooperation on implementing reforms.
Why This Matters
The first meeting of the Monitoring Committee marks an important step in Kosovo’s EU integration process. Access to nearly €883 million in EU funding will largely depend on the successful implementation of reforms, particularly in governance, rule of law, economic development, and institutional effectiveness.
