Minister Hoxha: Railway line in view of economic growth boost

Prishtina, 15 February 2018 – Minister of European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, participated in the event for signing the grant amounted to 39.9 million EUR awarded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in order to fund the modernization of Kosovo railway infrastructure within three phases. Grant agreement is 38.5 million EUR, whereas the remaining part is a co-funding from Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

Minister of Finance, Bedri Hamza, signed the agreement on behalf of Kosovo in the ceremony attended by Christian Danielsson, Director General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of European Commission, EBRD Managing Director for Central and Southeast Europe, Mrs. Charlotte Ruhe, whereas EBRD will be implementing WBIF grant.

WBIF is a joint initiative of EU, International Financial Institutions as EBRD, bilateral donors and Governments of Western Balkans to support the development and EU accession through the provision of finance and technical assistance for strategic investment, in particular in infrastructure, energy efficiency and private sector development.

Following the agreement signature, Minister Hamza expressed the gratitude for this project of interest for the country, because, as he stated, it is not important only in financial aspect, but also signals the trust of EU, EBRD and our international partners on us.

Minister of European Integration, Mrs. Dhurata Hoxha, stated the importance of this railway line not only as a new moement of EU – Kosovo relations, but also the economic benefits that railway will bring.

“This even today is another milestone in Kosovo – EU relations. I want to thank EU and in particular European Commission for the support for funding the Rehabilitation of Railway Line X. Line X will bring Kosovo citizens closer to EU and will serve as a greater boost for Kosovo economy. Since the beginning of Berlin process, we made a great journey. We will have more achievements in few months. I want to thank Minister Hamza, Mrs. Ruhe as well as their teams for the great job to achieve this success”, stated Minister of European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha.

Kosovo Railway Line X is part of the central railway networ of Western Balkans, expansion of Trans-european transport networks, which is par of greater EU efforts to promote connection of transport in Western Balkans.

“The modernisation of transport infrastructure is one of the EBRD’s key priorities in the Western Balkans, helping to improve trade routes within the region, build well-integrated economies and develop stronger cross-border cooperation as well as improve people’s lives in Kosovo by offering better connectivity with the region and wider Europe,’ said the EBRD’s Charlotte Ruhe.

The EBRD is also supporting the improvement of asset management practices, track access charges and equal opportunities, with particular emphasis on workforce diversity and gender equality, in the implementation of the project.

The EBRD began investing in Kosovo in 1999. To date, the Bank has signed 53 projects in the country with a net cumulative business volume of more than €227 million. Kosovo became an EBRD member and country of operations in December 2012.

Last modified: August 9, 2022