Post-election delays endanger Kosovo's benefits from EU Growth Plan

They have stressed that the current situation is unprecedented and is delaying Kosovo's integration agenda, creating room for geopolitical influences that, according to them, are contrary to the country's Euro-Atlantic interests.

The Executive Director of the Council of European Investors, Emrush Ujkan, has told the Online Economy that delays in forming new institutions and proceeding agreements in the Assembly could cause Kosovo serious economic and investment losses, stressing that the country has already had consequences from the similar situation last year.

We just have a bad experience from last year and a part is unfortunately lost. If we are not vigilant and set up reform institutions, in line with the deadlines and the legal and constitutional conditions, then the country will really risk much loss. and not only that much is going on in our country. You also know budget approval and many other actions to be undertaken. Okay, now we're at a stage when we have the premonition process of complaints by the parties that might complain and so on, you know that the part of the recounting of votes lasted a little bit. However, I can answer, I can say that yes, means such a delay can cause additional damage”, he said.

Wolfani stressed that international agreements should be prosecuted in the Assembly as soon as possible, following the proclamation of preliminary election results.

Listen, as far as agreements are concerned, they need to proceed as soon as possible for approval in the Republic of Kosovo Assembly, and I expect there will be no position and opposition because they need the country, they need our society, our economy and so on, they need the integration processes of our country like this. While other actions, of course, the government must act at the first moment that is in it means voting, taking full mandate from the Parliament, to move ahead so that they proceed as soon as possible. So make concrete preparations for the Kosovo Assembly and move on. If you remember in the last legislature there were a large number of agreements that were ready to proceed to the Parliament, but unfortunately what happened even before the 2025 elections on this February, they didn't arrive to vote. But of course this is a job that needs to be done and I believe with a job, with one as I was told, with a very fast and pragmatic approach to close as soon as possible”, he said.

On the other hand, political analyst Africa Kasolli estimated that the current situation is just one of the episodes of international losses Kosovo is suffering because of the political blockade.

“Yes, this is just one of the episodes regarding the international losses of the state of Kosovo since the country is located in the blockade from February last year until today. It is unprecedented that at a time when more than ever Kosovo needs a financial infusion due to the economic crisis we are facing, we cannot afford access to Brussels funds for the Western Balkans in terms of economic development package”, he told Online Economy.

Kasolli added that delays are directly affecting Kosovo's integration agenda.

“This is the delay of integration agenda because these funds are provided in order to improve the overall economic infrastructure, the other law in terms of Kosovo's advance, but in general for the Balkan region in terms of integration processes, in order to avoid the influence of other geopolitical actors who are hostile to the European Union and the United States, with particular emphasis on China and Russia<1>, he said.

He estimated that the domestic political crisis is seriously damaging Kosovo's position in relation to the EU.

In this direction, unfortunately Kosovo with its domestic political games, holding the state of Kosovo hostage knowingly or unconsciously, is serving this agenda that is anti-European in relation to the state of Kosovo and the integration agenda. So this is one of the fatal mistakes more than in these funds, keeping the state hostage in this direction contributes to political climates for the benefit of actors who are hostile in relation to Euro-integration processes of both Kosovo and the region”, he said.

According to the data, only Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina have failed to benefit from the European Union's Growth Plan from the six Western Balkan countries. While Bosnia has been blocked by Republika Srpska, Kosovo has faced political crisis since 9 February, which led to the December 28th elections.

So far, this plan is mostly estimated to have benefited Serbia by over 167m euros, followed by Albania with over 163m euros, northern Macedonia with over 80m euros and Montenegro with over 45m euros.