Kosovo and the European Union held the first meeting of the Reform and Growth Facility Monitoring Committee

Kosovo and the European Union held the first meeting of the Reform and Growth Facility Monitoring Committee

Jeton Zulfaj, Kosovo's Chief Negotiator with the EU and Reform and Growth Facility (RGF) Coordinator, and Jiri Plecity, Head of Unit responsible for Kosovo in the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, co-chaired today in Pristina the first meeting of the RGF Monitoring Committee.

The meeting brought together representatives of Kosovo institutions, the European Commission, as well as civil society organisations, trade unions, business associations, local authorities, EU Member States, and development partners, to review Kosovo's progress in implementing its Reform Agenda and the state of play of investment projects supported under the RGF, the financial instrument of the EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

Discussions focused on progress across key reform areas, including public administration reform, public finance management, the fundamentals and the rule of law, green and digital transition, private sector development and business environment, as well as education and employment.

Kosovo and EU representatives also discussed the functioning of the Government structures responsible for coordinating the RGF implementation, investment projects to be financed through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, the audit and control mechanism under the RGF, and the role of civil society in supporting and monitoring the implementation of reforms.

Both sides underlined the importance of implementing all 111 reform steps of the Reform Agenda and making full use of the opportunities offered by the RGF and the broader Growth Plan to further accelerate Kosovo's progress on its EU integration path. They noted that the grace period for the implementation of 13 steps, with a total value of €90.8 million expires on 30 June 2026. The grace period for further 27 steps, with an accumulated value of €165.9 million will expire at the end of December 2026.

Kosovo reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the implementation of the reforms and fully utilising the opportunities provided through the Growth Plan. It also reiterated its commitment to closely monitor the reform process and further strengthen institutional capacities for absorption of EU assistance.

The European Commission welcomed Kosovo's commitment to the implementation of the Reform Agenda and the progress made so far. It also underlined the importance of timely implementation of reforms, including those requiring actions by a fully functional Assembly and mandated Government.

Kosovo authorities and the European Commission agreed to better institutionalise the role of civil society in the Monitoring Committee and to continue working closely together to support the effective implementation of reforms.

As Kosovo's strongest and most reliable partner and the largest provider of financial assistance, the EU has invested more than EUR 3.7 billion in Kosovo since 1999.

Under the EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, Kosovo stands to benefit from EUR 882.6 million in EU funding - one-third in grants and two-thirds in favourable loans. Kosovo was among the first beneficiaries to negotiate with the European Commission and adopt its Reform Agenda.

For more information, contact:

European Union in Kosovo: Nikola GAON, [email protected]

European Commission HQ: Tom DAUTZENBERG, [email protected]

Office of the Prime Minister: Artan ÇOLLAKU, [email protected]