Shahini: Marta Kos sends clear message to Kurti – form institutions and implement agreements

The President of the Kosovo Business Alliance, Agim Shahini, stated that the message from European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos to Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti at the Summit in Skopje was clear: form a government as soon as possible and implement the signed agreements.

European Commissioner Marta Kos emphasized during the Western Balkans–EU leaders' meeting on the Growth Plan that the Kosovo government is expected to fully commit to the EU integration process.
Speaking to Kosovo Online, Shahini stressed that the message was unambiguous.

“Forming the government as soon as possible is the first step, and then implementing what has already been signed. We are under sanctions because we are not honoring the agreements we committed to. We haven’t received any funds yet, and we are at risk of losing about 880 million euros from the Growth Plan. We don’t have a government or a parliament, and today EU officials were very clear – form the government immediately and implement the agreements signed with the EU and other partners. Otherwise, we will face sanctions and remain stuck where we are,” said Shahini.

He emphasized that the responsibility now lies entirely with Kosovo, noting that all other Western Balkan countries have already received money from the Growth Plan.

“Only Kosovo has not received the funds because there are unresolved issues between Kosovo, the EU, and international partners who helped bring us to this point,” Shahini said.

He added that he is not optimistic that Kurti will heed the EU’s advice.

“The Prime Minister of Kosovo is stubborn, and we’ve already had several cases where he stood alone against everyone. That’s why I fear that he won’t listen this time either, and if he doesn’t, it won’t be good for the citizens of Kosovo or the state itself,” Shahini concluded.