Alina Oprea • 19 May, 2023 at 5:30 PM
During the visit of an EIB Global delegation to Pristina, European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President Lilyana Pavlova reaffirmed the EU bank's commitment to supporting Kosovo in line with EU priorities and the objectives of the EU Global Gateway strategy. EIB is the long-term financing institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. At the core of the Bank's effort is the acceleration of the green transition, sustainable connectivity, and digital transformation. The Bank intends to contribute to the transition to a low-carbon economy by supporting the development of a 100 MW solar power plant in the Obiliq area, as well as strengthening connectivity by supporting sustainable transport infrastructure.
The EIB Vice-President underlined support for the development of sustainable transport infrastructure, renewable energy projects, water and wastewater infrastructure, as well as resilient education and health systems.
“Our role in the Western Balkans is to help regional economies grow and adapt to a new normal where uncertainty has become the only certainty. Through our financing, we support key infrastructure investments that contribute to sustainable economic growth through enhanced connectivity, integrating Kosovo into the regional and EU economic landscape. Thanks to the application of the highest EU environmental, climate, and social standards to every project, the Bank creates added value for people, the environment, and the economy”, says EIB Vice-President Lilyana Pavlova, who is responsible for the Western Balkans.
In 2022, EIB Global provided €2.1 million in grants in the form of technical assistance to get new projects off the ground in the areas of energy efficiency in the heating sector and higher education. More recently, the EU bank provided a €38 million loan for the rehabilitation of the 148 km Route 10 railway line, bringing financial support for the modernization of Kosovo's railways to €80 million.
“As the EU climate bank, we stand ready to help Kosovo transition to an inclusive growth model by creating employment, ensuring the protection and sustainable use of natural resources, and building resilience to climate risks”, she added.
Since 2020, the EIB has unlocked €108.8 million under the Team Europe initiative to facilitate Kosovo's social and economic recovery. The funds were allocated to the railway sector, small and medium enterprises, and the construction of wastewater plants in Mitrovica and Gjilan.
“There is a need to further increase cooperation in key sectors such as energy, transport, health, environment, and education to improve the quality of life for Kosovo's citizens, as well as to enable Kosovo's prospects towards its EU future”, says Minister of Finance, Labour and Transfers Hekuran Murati.
“Joint financial support to the development of Kosovo through EIB's loans, the EU's Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, and Western Balkans Investment Fund grants are producing concrete results in Kosovo in improving the everyday lives of its population. Rail and road infrastructure, health care, digital connectivity, and water management are only some of the areas in which we are supporting Kosovo, while we also keep contributing to the modernization of education and the provision of administrative services, and very importantly, to Kosovo's energy efficiency and the transition to sustainable and green energy sources during the times of energy crisis”, EU Ambassador in Kosovo Tomáš Szunyog stated.