Shahini: The EU keeps its word, but Kosovo must also fulfill its commitments

Agim Shahini, President of the Alliance for Kosovo Businesses, said that when it comes to the final lifting of EU sanctions on Kosovo, the Union keeps its word, but Kosovo must also fulfill the commitments it has made.

Shahini told Kosovo Online that so far the EU has lifted sanctions amounting to 30 million euros from various funds, which, according to him, is small but positive.

“We had a deadline by which we could use 400 million euros. The EU lifted sanctions on 30 million euros that date back to 2022. That is small, but good. Europe keeps its word, but Kosovo must keep its own as well. It must continue on the path toward EU integration and fulfill our obligations and promises. In this situation, Kosovo has lost the most from the Growth Plan and EU funds, because the sanctions were direct,” Shahini said.

According to him, the EU is monitoring developments in Kosovo, and if Pristina stops fulfilling its obligations, the inflow of money from the EU will also stop.

“The EU has its people who monitor developments in Kosovo and Kosovo’s steps toward EU integration. If we stop, financial flows will most likely stop as well. This needs to be monitored, and I believe that the Government of Kosovo and the Ministry for Integration will be careful about this in the coming year. We know that the EU makes certain decisions regarding Kosovo without asking us,” Shahini concluded.