Swedish official: Kosovo to form new institutions soon

The general director of the Swedish Agency for International Co-operation (SIDA), Jacob Granit, has stressed the urgent need for Kosovo to establish new institutions.

We know that the government is in the process of forming, and we understand that it is extremely important to have a new government as soon as possible, given all political developments in the country and beyond. We hope we will soon have a new government in the country. Leading a country without government is always a challenge, because public administration and institutions continue their work and mandate, but political direction is lacking.

This hinders the country in important discussions with neighbours [Serbia] for normalisation dialogue, but also in dialogue with the European Union, as a key supporter of the country's progress towards EU membership. So it's important to have a government in the country as soon as we can run all public institutions in the country”, said about KKP he.

According to him, the lack of a functional government is also directly affecting reports with the EU on the removal of punitive measures imposed on Kosovo in 2023, adding that a solid government that can negotiate on behalf of the country is necessary.

The sooner we have a government in the country, the better, but this is a long-term trajectory towards EU membership, and I don't think it will stop or compromise that process. However, it is good to have a solid government to facilitate this process, especially in terms of all measures that have been set. It is better to have a government that can negotiate these measures and ensure that they are removed as soon as possible”, he points out.

Granit has also linked the non-recognition of EU pre-finance funds for Kosovo with these punitive measures, making it clear that institutional progress is a prerequisite for benefits from the Western Balkans' Growth Plan./Periscopi/