Kosovo’s Acting President Albulena Haxhiu traveled to Taranto, Italy, to attend the opening of the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, as Kosovo prepares to host the prestigious multisport event in Prishtina in 2030.
The Office of the President said Haxhiu will attend a reception hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella for heads of state and senior representatives of participating countries.
Kosovo is represented at the Taranto Games by 163 athletes competing in 17 individual sports and four team sports, the largest delegation the country has ever sent to the Mediterranean Games.
The event also carries particular significance for Kosovo because Prishtina will host the Mediterranean Games in 2030, marking the first time Kosovo has been selected as host.
Prishtina Mayor Përparim Rama is also in Taranto. He said his visit was aimed at observing the organization of the Games firsthand, learning from Italy’s experience and applying lessons to preparations for Prishtina 2030.
Kosovo was awarded the right to host the 2030 Games in September 2024, when the General Assembly of the International Committee of Mediterranean Games (ICMG) approved the “Prishtina 2030” bid in Heraklion, Greece.
Although Kosovo is landlocked, changes to the ICMG statutes allowed countries without a coastline to host the Games. Albania has pledged to support Kosovo by making its coastline available for sailing competitions.
Preparations for Prishtina 2030 have already begun. In July, Kosovo signed a €60 million loan agreement with the French Development Agency (AFD) to finance infrastructure projects connected to the Games.
The funding will support the renovation and expansion of the University of Prishtina Student Center complex, as well as the construction and modernization of sports infrastructure at educational institutions across Kosovo. According to Kosovo’s Finance Ministry, more than 40,000 students and pupils are expected to benefit from the project.
The agreement also creates the possibility of securing an additional €10 million grant through the Western Balkans Investment Framework.
The Mediterranean Games were established in 1951 and are held every four years with the support of the International Olympic Committee. Prishtina 2030 is expected to become the largest sporting event ever organized in Kosovo.
