The 7.5 billionth EU divided into other states, Government: Signing of Kosovo contract has been postponed

Kosovo will not be part of an EU funding programme worth 7.5 billion euros, unlike the other four Western Balkan states. The Kosovo government has confirmed that at the request of EU institutions, the signing of this agreement from Kosovo has been postponed. The executive has not indicated the reasons for this decision, but it comes at a time when the EU has warned punitive measures against Kosovo due to tensions in the north

A lot of 7.5 billion euros weigh the agreement North Macedonia is signing with the EU for the Digital Europe programme.

But so did Kosovo, which is left out of the programme.

The Ministry of Economy confirmed this.

“Following the announcement received by the Directorate General for Networks, Contentment and Communication Technology, the date of signing the agreement between the Republic of Kosovo and the European Commission has been postponed”, the Economy Ministry has said.

The ministry has not detailed the reasons for delaying the signing.

Unlike Kosovo, part of the programme has already become Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia.

However, technology expert from Albania Tom Callanji believes this situation has nothing to do with sanctions against Kosovo.

The “is not only about sanctions, but it is also because the EU has chosen only the four states that are candidates or candidate status of the European Union, which is Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania and Serbia, which in this regard is talking about a budget that is about 7.5 billion euros and will be between 2021 and 2027<1>, said Tommy Kalandji Digic Technology Knower.

Another digital technology acquaintance, Drilon Jaha, estimates that Kosovo would lose much and would fall behind countries in the region if it does not eventually get involved in this programme.

And it's very important to be a part of it because of the finance aspect and aspect of advancement and digitalisation and digital transformation that can happen in Kosovo. Some of the aspects we can use to benefit between this program is that all the advances made in Europe are then integrated into Kosovo”, explained Drilon Yaha, a digital technology acquaintance.

Through the Digital European Programme citizens, businesses, public institutions would be able to apply to the new EU funding programme.