GAP Report: EU measures against Kosovo suspended over 600 million euros of projects, 7.1 million lost

2025-05-27 07:54:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

GAP Report: EU measures against Kosovo suspended over 600 million euros of

Kosovo continues to remain under the punitive measures that the European Union has imposed for two years now.

As a result of these measures, many projects have been suspended. The GAP Institute has released a report on the impact these measures have on Kosovo.

According to this report, around 613.4 million euros of suspended or indefinitely postponed projects result from measures imposed by the European Union against Kosovo.

The report "Financial Impact of European Union Measures on Kosovo" highlights that 7.1 million euros of this total amount have been lost entirely due to the expiry of the deadlines allowed for initiating procedures for certain projects.

"Since June 2023, the European Union (EU) has imposed punitive measures against Kosovo, which have negatively affected bilateral relations and financial support from the European Union (EU). The measures imposed by the European Union on Kosovo have resulted in significant financial and development consequences, costing Kosovo around 613.4 million euros in projects suspended or postponed indefinitely. Within this amount, due to the expiry of the deadlines allowed for the initiation of procedures for certain projects, 7.1 million euros have been completely lost."

The most affected sectors, according to the GAP Institute report, include the environment with 350.7 million euros, energy with 114.4 million euros, digitalization with around 57 million euros, and culture with 15 million euros.

Furthermore, the work of the bodies within the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), which had been suspended until May 2025, has been suspended.

Also, funds for Kosovo under the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) have been suspended, while proposals from Kosovo to the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) are not being reviewed by the relevant board.

According to the GAP Institute, these measures pose a serious risk to the progress of reforms and the country's economic development, directly affecting the well-being of citizens.

"Of the total funds affected by the measures, around 218 million euros are projects under IPA (IPA II and IPA III) and around 395.5 million euros are projects under WBIF. The implementation of these projects was foreseen to be financed through grants and loans, with a contribution of around 421 million euros from the European Union, approximately 162 million euros from third parties such as international financial institutions, as well as self-financing in the amount of 31 million euros," the report further states.

Since June 2023, the European Union has imposed punitive measures against Kosovo, which have negatively affected bilateral relations and financial support from the European Union (EU).

The measures imposed by the European Union on Kosovo have resulted in significant financial and development consequences, costing Kosovo around 613.4 million euros in suspended or indefinitely postponed projects.

The work of the bodies under the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) was suspended until May 2025.

Funds for Kosovo under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) have been suspended.

Kosovo's proposals to the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) are not being reviewed by the WBIF Board.

Potential losses for key sectors:

Environment – ??€350.7 million
Energy – €114.4 million
Digitalization – €57 million
Culture – €15 million.
The acting Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, said a few days ago that the funds that Kosovo will benefit from the European Union (EU) Growth Plan will not be lost as a result of the failure to constitute the Kosovo Assembly.

He said that in the process of drafting and negotiating the reform agenda, the Government of Kosovo has adhered to all deadlines set by the European Commission, submitting, as he said, the necessary documents on time and with quality./ Monitor.al