Tomáš Szunyog from the Czech Republic has been appointed EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Kosovo. The mandate of Szunyog starts on 1 September 2020 and will end on 31 August next year, the Council of the European Union said in a statement published today.
The task of the EUSR is to promote a stable, viable, peaceful, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo that is committed to the rule of law and to the protection of minorities and of cultural and religious heritage, including through strengthening stability in the region and contributing to regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans, the statement reads.
Szunyog will replace Natalya Apostolova who has held the position since 20 July 2016.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an €11.8 million grant with Bosnia and Herzegovina to finance the construction of the 6.9 km-long Tarčin-Ivan section of motorway along the the pan-European Corridor Vc. The EU grant comes from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and complements an earlier EIB loan worth €40.4 million approved by the EU bank for the same section of the Corridor Vc.
The EU Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Johann Sattler, explains why investment in large public investment programmes is very important: “The EU has allocated grants worth more than €200 million of grants under the Connectivity Agenda to help Bosnia and Herzegovina accelerate the construction of the Corridor Vc in the country. The construction work did not stop even during the coronavirus pandemic. The protective measures put in place in all active construction sites are a very positive sign as they mean retaining jobs in these difficult times. Large public investment programmes most importantly generate new jobs and the acceleration of construction is more necessary than ever to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic.’
Corridor Vc is the most ambitious investment programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Corridor will improve regional connectivity, reduce travel times and increase road safety along the route connecting the main economic and administrative centres in the country. Corridor Vc will also contribute towards faster social and economic integration of the Western Balkans and the European Union.
The European Commission has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kosovo, paving the way for the first disbursement of €50 million in Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA). The second installment of €50 million will be disbursed later in 2020 or early 2021.
MFA funds are being made available in the form of long-term loans on very favourable terms. The funds will contribute to Kosovo’s macroeconomic stability so that the government’s financial resources can be allocated to mitigate the severe socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus.
The total MFA programme for Kosovo is worth up to €100 million. Nataliya Apostolova, Head of the EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative warmly welcomed the agreement and called on the Kosovo Assembly to proceed swiftly with its ratification, so as to avoid any delayed disbursement. The MoU included policy conditions on measures to address public finance and financial stability, youth unemployment, good governance and the fight against corruption.
Country: Serbia
Interests: Arts and design, Film and photography, Music, Youth activism, Environment
My name is Teodora and I was born and raised in Serbia, where I currently live. I began my studies in Ukraine and completed my first year at the Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University. I went on to continue my studies in Russia at the Belgorod State Institute of Arts and Culture, where I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees with honours in Musical Arts. Over the course of my studies, I published several articles on Serbian music, music education and culture, and participated in many events and conferences. I was a member of a number of choirs and vocal ensembles and I’ve also participated in various festivals and competitions. Moreover, I was a participant at the World Festival of Youth and Students in Russia, the World Youth Forum in Egypt and numerous Erasmus+ projects in different EU countries, which offered me the opportunity to gain new skills and meet people from different parts of the world. I find myself focused on the fields of music, culture, pedagogy, youth activism, international relations and leadership, and I’m interested in discovering different cultures, travelling and learning new languages. I plan on starting my volunteer work with the European Solidarity Corps. I’m currently a Young European Ambassador from Serbia and a teacher of Music Culture at the High School of Tourism in Nis.
Country: Serbia
Interests: Environment, Media, arts and culture
My name is Marko Milutinović, and I am a communications strategist and social media expert with extensive experience in engaging diverse communities across Europe. My career has been marked by roles at the European Commission and various international nonprofits, where I have honed my ability to craft compelling narratives and spearhead effective digital campaigns. These positions have enabled me to connect a wide range of audiences with policymaking processes, significantly enhancing public involvement and participation. As a passionate environmental and climate change activist, I actively integrate sustainability into all aspects of my communication strategies. This commitment is driven by a deep dedication to influencing public policy and promoting environmental stewardship through impactful advocacy and community engagement. I am continually seeking dynamic opportunities to leverage my expertise in communications and social media to drive meaningful change. With a proven track record of success in both governmental and non-governmental settings, I aim to advance sustainable practices and foster a more informed, engaged, and active global community.
Country: Serbia
Interests: Music, Youth activism, Environment
My name is Anja Kafedžiska, I’m 19 years old and I’m from Vranje. I’m currently a student at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Law. I’ve been an activist and volunteer since I was 14. I’m a founder of the Youth NGO “Our world, our rules”, which aims to make young people heard and support their interests in culture, sports, EU integration, media literacy, environmental protection, health and human rights. My experience includes writing several project proposals across different fields and I am always trying to improve my skills by participating in various workshops, seminars, ERASMUS+ training and initiating debates and peer-to-peer training – mostly on the topic of ecology and gender equality. So far I have launched numerous local activities, including eco-quizzes, musical performances, plays and several Ceremonial Academies. I also attended music school, played the piano and sang jazz. I’m a member of the theatre and I’ve combined my love for acting and activism by working on resolving the issue of sexism among young people, which has resulted in the creation of a play called “The Principle of the Decollete” funded by RYCO and UNFPA. I’ve completed the School of Human Rights organised by the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights.
Country: Serbia
Interests: Science, Business and Entrepreneurship
I am Dragana Grahovac, a chemical engineer who obtained her BSc at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, with an average grade of 9.93. My passion for scientific research and interdisciplinary education led me to participate in additional faculty courses from other modules as well as academic programs at prestigious universities across Europe, including Humboldt in Berlin, Sapienza in Rome, St. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje and Aalborg in Denmark. My love for scientific research developed in elementary school, when I became part of the Regional Talent Center Belgrade II, and later deepened during high school chemistry seminars in Petnica. I was part of the research groups at departments of organic chemistry, non-organic technology, and polymer engineering at my faculty, after which I published a scientific research paper, which I presented at many conferences. During my education, I excelled not only in technical subjects but also in social sciences, winning numerous awards in Serbian language and literature, English, and German, as well as geography, mathematics, physics, and chemistry. My academic and professional successes were recognized by Brainz television, which broadcasted a special show about me, “Meet the Geniuses of the Capital”. Through a series of professional internships in leading companies in Serbia, I gained valuable practical experience. I am an active member of Mensa, the Association of Chemical Engineers of Serbia, IChemE, and the Union of Engineers and Technicians of Serbia. For four years in a row, I have been acting as the Young European Ambassador for the Western Balkans in Serbia. I am also engaged as a member of the student organization BEST Belgrade, where I actively contribute to the realization of the most important student projects, as well as in the Student Parliament of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, where I dedicate myself to improving the quality of teaching. With over 50 local and regional conferences, trainings, and symposiums in STEM and environmental protection, I am constantly working on expanding my knowledge and network of professional contacts. I participated in Hemofarm and STADA’s mentoring program for the best students of all universities in Serbia, as well as in the pilot project of the Miloš Biković Foundation. I was also part of the 10th generation of the American Chamber of Commerce’s Young Leaders program. My academic endeavors and involvement in social initiatives enabled me to receive prestigious scholarships to continue my education abroad. I speak English and German fluently, and I also speak Spanish. In my free time, I learn to play the piano and enjoy traveling, which enriches my personal and professional development.
Hello everyone :). My name is Olga Devic, I am 19 years old and I am from Belgrade, Serbia. I am youth activist for youth policy, youth and child rights and since my early teenage age, I have been very passionate about activism. I know how challenging is to be heard, as young person, by decision makers. Having that in mind, as Young European Ambassador I would like to ensure that youth voices from my region are heard at the right place at the right time.
Hi, I’m Dona! Coming from a minority ethnic group and living as a young person in one of Europe’s less-developed economies, I became interested in politics at a very young age. Accordingly, I oriented myself towards becoming a political scientist and studied at the Iustinianus Primus Faculty of Law in Skopje. I graduated with a degree in Political Science (in English), and I’m currently conducting my master’s studies in the field of International Relations, European Integrations and Diplomacy. I underwent a traineeship at the Association of Trade Unions of North Macedonia, where I worked at the Department of International Relations and European Integrations and I have participated in a number of ‘Model European Parliament’ competitions. I was also a member of a project in Thessaloniki that aimed to re-establish friendly relations between Macedonia and Greece following the Macedonia-naming dispute between both countries. I’ve taken part in numerous conferences, debates, television programmes and seminars, ranging from the promotion of basic human rights in North Macedonia, to complex global problems. Furthermore, I was also a participant in the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights workshop that was organised at my faculty, and volunteered in a women’s rights NGO in my hometown. Over the past three years, I’ve been working as a reporting analyst.
Dona is a Young European Ambassador from North Macedonia. Dona has shown her dedication and motivation to be a voice of youth since the very beginning of our journey. By taking active part in the ‘She Leads’ event by YEAs which focused on female empowerment, discussing youth activism in a debate on Balkan Trafik festival, but also starring as a guest on regional podcasts dedicated to youth – Dona continues to inspire her peers to contribute to the society by showing initiative. We can’t wait for her next step on the journey of changing the world one good deed at the time!
Country: North Macedonia
Interests: Health and Sustainability, Science
My name is Ana Kjupeva, and I am a dedicated medical student and a leader among my peers, with a fervent passion for improving global health standards. Focused and driven, my main interests lie in understanding health intricacies and advocating for better healthcare access worldwide. As a representative in the Student Assembly, I work tirelessly to enhance standards for students within our faculty. Throughout my academic journey, I actively engage in research and community initiatives aimed at addressing global disparities. With a compassionate spirit and a commitment to service, I volunteer my time at local NGOs and participate in international missions. My ultimate goal is to leverage my medical training to effect systemic change and promote health equity on a global scale. My leadership within my generation serves as an inspiration to those around me as I continue to make strides toward a healthier, more equitable world.
