Kurti receives letter from European Commission chairman

Through this letter, the European Commission chairman, speaking of the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected our country, has stressed that it is fully aware that a much more severe funding situation has been an aspect of the COVID-19 crisis for developing economies such as Kosovo.

The first EC stressed that it will work closely with the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in the coming days, with the aim of quick adoption of the proposed Makro-Finciare Assistance Package.

Ursula Von der Leenen's full letter:

Dear Prime Minister,

In the long run of COVID-19, the health and economic crisis is seriously hitting our countries. The EU stands side by side with its closest neighbours and partners, not only to prevent the distribution of the virus, but also to curb the economic consequences and to put our economies in a strong and sustainable recovery.

In that spirit, the EU has only mobilised 68m euros in Kosovo to address the current health crisis and ease the socioeconomic impact of pandemic.

In addition, the European Commission this week has proposed an unprecedented package worth 3 billion Euro-Foreign Assistance, including Kosovo, along with nine other EU partners for countries in the process of enlargement and neighbouring regions. Through this package, Kosovo will benefit from concessionary loans from the EU to 100m euros.

I am fully aware that a much tougher funding situation has been an aspect of the COVID-19 crisis for developing economies like Kosovo. The EU's Macro-Finance assistance, in turn, addresses the urgent need, helping preserve Kosovo's economic and financial stability and create political space to enable you to take adequate measures in response to the crisis.

The European Commission will work closely with the European Parliament and the EU Council in the coming days, with the aim of quick adoption of the proposed Makro-Financear Assistance Package. At the same time, my staff will be in touch with your staff to identify the important and ambitious political pledges, but still reachable to which EU assistance will be linked. These will be defined in a memorandum of understanding that will be signed between Kosovo and the EU.

Speed is essential to the current crisis. Therefore, I rely on your personal support and commitment to this process so that negotiations can quickly end and the first tranche of the loan can reach Kosovo as soon as possible.

Honestly yours,

Ursula von der Leyeen