Rafuna: Kosovo is losing funds and projects due to institutional blockade, urgent reforms needed

Rafuna said the country initially lost some of its funds due to sanctioning measures, while now we have lost other means from the Development Plan, as required reforms are not met within the deadline.

“Yes, it has been very influential because we haven't managed to get funds that have been ahead of Kosovo. First we had punitive measures, where we lost our share of funds, that the countries in the region took all, while Kosovo has not, because we were under sanctions. And now we have the biggest challenge with the Development Plan, where, in all likelihood, quite a large amount will lose, or we've almost lost, that we've had the deadline until June 30th to hand over the report and testify that we've made reforms, where reforms have not been achieved that were required with the Development Plan, and here we will lose a lot. So, as long as Kosovo loses, countries in the region benefit, because these vehicles will not return to Brussels, or they will not wait for us as Kosovo until we meet the conditions, but they will be distributed to countries that have moved very quickly on reforms”, he said, for Online Economics.

He announced that some projects have already been lost or left suspended.

There are several projects, there are different projects, that are affecting infrastructure, sewage, railway projects, digitization, and so on. For years we've lost them or they've been suspended”, Rafuna told EO, broadcast Periscope.

He added that in many sectors space for reform, but that this is not the cause of the institutional blockade.

And we don't have, as I say, our businesses are facing that there is no investment, whether it's public or foreign investment. And I add here that lack of government, or institutional blockades, is also the lack of reform that would help businesses crack into the market not only regional but European, with much better conditions and higher standards. So laws are needed, fiscal policy is needed, rule of law. There are many, many spaces in many sectors where reforms should be made, cannot be made due to institutional blockade”, he said.

In the end, Rafuna called on political parties to constitute institutions quickly and launch economic reforms.

My message would actually be required. The request that if they want the best for this country, all political parties that have won seats in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, that as soon as they establish institutions, be in full power and start reforms. Even under the circumstances under which Kosovo's economy is found, we need two ministers: one day minister and a night-changing minister, so that by running, we are too late, running to occupy the region's countries and to get in the integration processes that benefit the Kosovo economy”, he said. /Periscope/