USAID Assistant Administrator visits Kosovo

2024-11-21 17:17:41, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for Europe and Eurasia, Erin McKee, started her visit to Kosovo on November 21.

This year, USAID marked the 25th anniversary of its presence in Kosovo.

McKee met with the president of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, who thanked USAID for its "unwavering support for Kosovo".

Osmani said that for 25 years, USAID has supported the empowerment of young people, women, investments and building institutions.

"The transformative legacy of USAID is visible in every corner of Kosovo, from the strengthening of institutions to sustainable economic growth and the advancement of democratic principles", said Osmani, according to the announcement of the Kosovo Presidency.

Osmani also mentioned the importance of continuing USAID's support for projects in the field of justice and the fight against corruption, as well as projects for the economic empowerment of women.

Earlier in the day, the US ambassador to Kosovo, Jeff Hovenier, said that McKee will conduct meetings and visits to see firsthand the impact of USAID's 25 years of support to Kosovo and partnership with the people of Kosovo.

USAID has invested more than 1 billion dollars in the development of Kosovo.

In the last 25 years, USAID programs have focused on the fight against corruption, the rule of law and good governance, the fight against disinformation and the advocacy of independent media, the strengthening of civil society and democracy, economic development and the attraction of foreign investment. the foreigner.

In August of this year, President Osmani signed a grant with USAID, which provides additional assistance to Kosovo's institutions in the amount of 34.5 million dollars.

That grant is part of the previously reached agreement worth about 146 million dollars, which aims to provide better services to citizens, increase the responsibility of institutions and more efficient management.

Ambassador Hovenier has emphasized earlier that the American Government's support for the people of Kosovo is stronger than ever, and that it will not stop despite some disagreements with the Government of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti.

Disagreement mainly refers to the steps taken by the Government that have an impact on the Serbian community in Kosovo, such as the removal from the use of the Serbian dinar, the expropriation in the north of Kosovo for the construction of police bases, the closure of parallel institutions that operate according to the Serbian system, and others.

The USA has warned several times that the "uncoordinated" movements of the Kurti Government could negatively affect the quality of the partnership between the two countries./ REL