Bilateral cooperation

+ Cooperation with Japan

+ Cooperation with Sweden

+ Cooperation with Luxembourg

+ Cooperation with Norway

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is the government agency responsible for implementing Official Development Assistance (Official Development Assistance) through technical cooperation, grants and loans, and aims to contribute to the promotion of international cooperation as well as the sound development of the Japanese and global economy by supporting the socio-economic development, recovery or economic stability of developing regions.

The bilateral relations between Kosovo and Japan have been established in 2009 and since then, Japanese support has contributed to the stabilization of social and economic infrastructure towards sustainable development, focusing on the:

1) Development of environmental infrastructure and management capacities; and

2) Increase of administrative capacities and human resources.

For more information: https://www.jica.go.jp/kosovo/english/activities/activity01.html

 

Cooperation with Sweden

The general objective of Swedish development cooperation with Kosovo is to facilitate EU integration. Integration into the EU is essential for Kosovo’s efforts towards democracy, rule of law, and sustainable economic development. Swedish development cooperation focuses on the following areas:

• Extended economic integration with the EU and the development of the market economy,
• Strengthening democracy, respect for human rights and a developed state under the rule of law,
• A better environment, reduced climate impact and higher resilience to environmental impacts and climate change.

For more information: Marrëveshja ndërmjet Kosovës dhe Suedisë për reforma

 

Cooperation with Luxembourg

Kosovo is the main beneficiary of Luxembourg’s development cooperation aid in the Balkans. In early 1999, Luxembourg’s initial focus was humanitarian aid and reconstruction, which then paved the way for development cooperation programs from 2001 onwards.

An initial joint commission between Luxembourg and Kosovo took place in Luxembourg on April 23, 2013, during which a general cooperation agreement was signed to determine the framework of cooperation between the two countries for the period 2013-2016. The second cooperation agreement was signed on October 24, 2016 in Prishtina. The agreement, covering the period 2017-2020, focuses on four sectors:

1. health;
2. vocational education and training;

III. strengthening civil society;

1. technical assistance in the context of the European integration of Kosovo and
2. A sum of money may be dedicated to a sector other than those described above.

Such a sector can be defined based on emerging needs, always keeping in mind the European aspirations of the Republic of Kosovo and in a joint agreement between the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.

For more information: Marrëveshja dypalëshe për bashkëpunimin për zhvillim ndërmjet Republikës së Kosovës dhe Dukatit të Madh të Luksemburgut and

Memorandumi i mirëkuptimit ndërmjet Republikës së Kosovës dhe Dukatit të Madh të Luksemburgut për zbatimin e marrëveshjes së tyre dypalëshe në lidhje me bashkëpunimin për zhvillim

 

Cooperation with Norway

Norway has offered developmental aid to Kosovo since the end of the 1990s. While most of the early aid was of a humanitarian nature, related to the rebuilding of Kosovo in 1998-99, Norway has since then supported activities in the fields of education, rule of law, good governance, environmental protection, security and safety, peace and reconciliation, human rights, culture and art. Norwegian aid has had a special emphasis on improving the situation for minorities, women and youth.

The main objective of Norwegian support for the Western Balkans is to promote the development of sustainable stability and democracy. For this purpose, Norway supports a number of initiatives in Kosovo and beyond in the region, to promote:

• Regional close cooperation, including EU Member States;
• Reconciliation and implementation of transitional justice;
• Socio-economic development through economic growth and increased competitiveness, increased capacities in the field of environment/climate/energy and increased social and economic inclusion of marginalized groups;
• Good governance through support for the development of the rule of law, defense sector reform, civil society and media, minorities and the fight against organized crime and corruption.

For more information: Marrëveshja e bashkëpunimit mes Kosovës dhe Norvegjisë