TIRANA, January 16 – The European Union has started lifting restrictive measures against Kosova. This step allows more than 400 million euros in financial support to flow to the country.

Anitta Hipper, spokesperson for the European Commission, told that after releasing 216 million euros in December 2025, the EU plans to release an additional 205 million euros early this year.

She explained that the decision followed the smooth transfer of local governance in northern Kosova after the recent local elections.

Hipper detailed how the funds will be used. The initial release of 216 million euros will allow officials to sign contracts for four projects. These projects represent 34.6 million euros in European Union contributions. This step will also make it possible to program the remaining IPA III funds for Kosova, totaling 181 million euros.

The European Commission plans to release the final 205 million euros at the start of 2026. On Thursday, the commission confirmed that it expects the complete lifting of measures against Kosova in the coming weeks.

Jan Gert Koopman, director of the Directorate for Enlargement at the European Commission, said that the total funding exceeds 400 million euros. This includes funds already released in December 2025. He added that institutions are working simultaneously on programming the funds and contracting projects.

The European Union imposed the restrictive measures on Kosova in 2023. The measures responded to tensions in northern municipalities, mainly populated by Serbs, after Albanian mayors assumed office in four municipalities.

/a.p./