The EU: Agreement failure has blocked millions' funds for Kosovo

The European Union has confirmed that the lack of ratification of the Loan and Relief Agreements under the Relief for Reform and Growth (RGF) has yet to make payments for Kosovo, saying the country cannot benefit from these funds without meeting legal procedures.

Kosovo has not yet met the legal conditions to receive payment, as it has not yet ratified the Loan and Relief Agreements under the ease of Reform and Growth. Therefore, Kosovo cannot yet benefit from RGF funds, says the EU's response to FrontOnline.

In an official response, a European Commission spokesman has stated that the EU hopes this issue will be resolved soon, while remembering that Kosovo has recently benefited a financial assistance of 216m euros, including programming new funds and continuing priority contracts.

According to the European Commission, the release of the remaining 205m euros is expected early this year, which would enable the resumption of IPA funds and investment Framework projects for the Western Balkans, following an agreement on programming priorities.

The commission recently provided Kosovo with a financial assistance of 216m euros.

This includes programming new funds (181m euros) and continuing 4 priority contracts (worth 35m euros) that will benefit Kosovo's population.

The commission aims to release the remaining 205m euros earlier this year. This will allow for the resumption of the remaining IPA 2021 contract (about 17m euros), IPA 2022 (55.7m euros) and IBIF's (IBIF 132m euros) projects following an agreement on programming priorities for remaining funds, the EU says.