Kosovo is close to receiving pre-financing under the EU Growth Plan, amounting to 7% of the total package or about €62 million, after the ratification of two agreements with the European Union. However, regular payments will depend on the completion of key reforms.
According to the EU, Kosovo has already submitted its request for the pre-financing payment, which is expected once the agreements are published in the official journal and the European Commission is formally notified.
For continued funding, Kosovo must complete 13 reforms by June 30, the end of the grace period. Failure to meet the deadline could result in losing part of the funds, the EU warned.
Among the required reforms are:
- Approval of laws to reduce administrative burdens
- Adoption of energy sector legislation
- Establishment and operation of the National Innovation Council and Innovation Fund
- Bankruptcy legislation and related acts
- Verification of asset declarations by judges and prosecutors
- A strategy to combat organized crime
Overall, Kosovo could benefit from up to €882 million in grants and loans through the EU Growth Plan.
Meanwhile, the EU did not confirm whether all remaining measures against Kosovo were lifted at the end of January, reiterating only the earlier statement by Ursula von der Leyen about the intention to remove the remaining measures early this year. Previously, the EU said projects worth about €205 million could be released as part of the gradual lifting of those measures.
