Delayed reforms due to the political crisis put more than 100 million euros at risk for Kosovo

Kosovo has less than three months to carry out the reforms required under the European Union’s Growth Plan, or it could lose more than 100 million euros. With the election of the new president and all institutions, including parliament and the government, now operational, they are being asked to focus their work on fulfilling these obligations.

This week, Kosovo’s lawmakers approved several laws that are a prerequisite for securing EU funds. However, experts in the field remain skeptical about the possibility of obtaining these funds, linking the delay in reforms to the political crisis and the lack of functioning institutions.

Besar Gërgi, from the Group for Legal and Political Studies, explained that the agenda includes 27 reform steps, with a total value of approximately 166 million euros. According to him, some reforms have been completed, but political crises have hindered the adoption of many laws, causing Kosovo financial losses under the reform agenda.

Political expert Ardian Zeqiri said that the legislative package has still not been finalized and that the relevant procedures require time, while Kosovo has fallen behind. He warned that the funds could be lost unless the December deadline is renegotiated.

Regarding the implementation of the reform agenda, experts in the field are calling for intensive engagement by the institutions and for work priorities to be established.