Dedaj: Kosovo risks losing hundreds of millions of Euros in EU funds due to Kurti's egocentrism

Former ambassador Gërdj Dedaj has said that Kosovo risks losing funding under the European Union's Growth Plan because of poor governance and the failures of the Self-Determination Movement over the past several years.

"Due to the poor governance and failures of the populist Self-Determination Movement regime, Kosovo is now facing institutional, political and economic collapse and ranks among the poorest countries in Europe. This dramatic situation is already having serious consequences for the country," Dedaj told Front Online.

According to him, Kosovo is in the midst of an institutional, political and economic crisis, which he believes is the result of the current government's record. He added that, over the past six years, the country has regressed both domestically and in foreign policy.

"During six years of rule by this monistic regime, Kosovo has experienced nothing but regression and debacle, both at home and in foreign policy, where it has suffered a complete failure," the former diplomat said.

Dedaj criticized the delay in establishing the new institutions, linking it to Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti's efforts to maintain control over the government. According to him, such an approach has led to the country's deterioration and jeopardized Kosovo's future.

"The delay in establishing the state institutions is the result of Albin Kurti's unhealthy ego. He sees Kosovo as his private property and is determined to retain full control of power at any cost, even though he has failed and has degraded both the state and Kosovo's future," Dedaj stated.

He argued that Kosovo has borne the consequences of international sanctions, jeopardized its partnership with the United States and the European Union, missed significant economic opportunities and driven away foreign investors.

"Kosovo failed to approve the Washington agreement on U.S. gas, which can be regarded as an act of national betrayal. Through its populist policies, it has driven away foreign investors and now risks being excluded from the EU Growth Plan and losing hundreds of millions of euros," the former ambassador said.

According to Dedaj, the current risk extends far beyond the possible loss of approximately €60 million under the EU Growth Plan, encompassing hundreds of millions of euros as well as damage to Kosovo's reputation.

"It is not only about losing €60 million from the EU plan. Hundreds of millions of euros are at stake, along with Kosovo's reputation, image and European perspective, all of which are being undermined by Kurti's egocentrism," Dedaj said.

He warned that the ongoing political and institutional uncertainty is also having a detrimental impact on the investment climate.

"This is also deterring major international investors, and Kosovo risks becoming isolated and turning into a black spot in Europe," Dedaj concluded.