European Union Ambassador and Head of the EU Office in Kosovo Dirk Schuebel met on Wednesday with the mayors of four municipalities in northern Kosovo to discuss challenges facing local governments and ways to strengthen cooperation between central and local institutions.
According to Schuebel, the discussions focused on challenges affecting municipalities’ ability to provide services to citizens, as well as the need for closer cooperation between central and local-level institutions. He said such cooperation also contributes to Kosovo’s European integration process.
“Expanding my outreach beyond Pristina, today I met the Mayors of four municipalities in the north of Kosovo,” Schuebel said in a post on X.
He added that the European Union would continue supporting the development of democratic local governance across Kosovo.
“As Kosovo’s strongest partner and largest provider of financial assistance, the EU will continue to support the development of democratic local governance throughout Kosovo. I look forward to visiting the rest of Kosovo as well,” Schuebel said.
The meeting comes shortly after Schuebel assumed his duties as EU Ambassador in Kosovo and EU Special Representative, succeeding Aivo Orav. His mandate includes supporting Kosovo’s European perspective, strengthening democratic governance and the rule of law, and contributing to EU political coordination and the Belgrade-Prishtina Dialogue.
The EU has said Schuebel’s engagement will include cooperation with Kosovo’s institutions, political actors, civil society, media and all communities as part of efforts to advance the country’s European integration path.
