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. At the core of the Bank’s effort is the acceleration of the green transition, sustainable connectivity and digital transformation.

The EIB Vice-President held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Minister of Finance, Labour and Transfers Hekuran Murati and the Head of EU Office in Kosovo Tomáš Szunyog to discuss how the Bank can contribute towards a more resilient economy via EIB Global, its arm focusing on activities outside the European Union. She underlined support for the development of sustainable transport infrastructure, renewable energy projects, water and wastewater infrastructure, as well as resilient education and health systems.

n 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 the 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 modernisation of Kosovo’s railways to €80 million. Going forward, 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 to strengthening connectivity by supporting sustainable transport infrastructure.

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.