Washington: Donors give more than expected

A U.S. State Department official says that the recent Kosovo donors' conference raised more funds than expected. Earlier this week, international donors pledged some USD 1.9bn for Kosovo's economic recovery, reforms and strengthening of democratic institutions. Washington: Donors give more than expected The EU said it will spend EUR 500mn to this end, while the United States pledged USD 400mn. At the same time, individual EU states said they would send aid of their own. "The donors' conference to support Kosovo was a very important event," the State Department's Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told VOA. "The European Commission and other donors have shown readiness to support Kosovo's economic and democratic development, while announced donations exceed our expectations." "We are very happy because of the fact that most European states have decided to support Kosovo in the future. We consider this to have absolutely essential significance for the region's stability," DiCarlo was quoted as saying. At the conference in Brussels on Friday, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that Kosovo is "essentially a European issue" and that by promising half a billion euros, "the EU has clearly demonstrated this". "This is not just diplomatic vocabulary, this is the most concrete, the most palpable proof of our dedication to Kosovo and the stability and progress of the entire Western Balkans". In an earlier report, VOA also noted that "donors are demanding accountability for their funds". "I am sure the Kosovo authorities know that they have to make the promises materialize for all people in Kosovo by ensuring that every single euro will be accounted for and put to good use," Rehn was quoted as saying. Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci told the conference that it represented the beginning of a new phase of development and that the authorities in Pristina will cooperate with international donors when it comes to spending the money. In its report from Brussels on Friday, VOA said that "Kosovo's government hoped international donors would pledge about USD 2.36bn".

Washington: Donors give more than expected

The EU said it will spend EUR 500mn to this end, while the United States pledged USD 400mn. At the same time, individual EU states said they would send aid of their own.

"The donors' conference to support Kosovo was a very important event," the State Department's Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told VOA.

"The European Commission and other donors have shown readiness to support Kosovo's economic and democratic development, while announced donations exceed our expectations."

"We are very happy because of the fact that most European states have decided to support Kosovo in the future. We consider this to have absolutely essential significance for the region's stability," DiCarlo was quoted as saying.

At the conference in Brussels on Friday, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that Kosovo is "essentially a European issue" and that by promising half a billion euros, "the EU has clearly demonstrated this".

"This is not just diplomatic vocabulary, this is the most concrete, the most palpable proof of our dedication to Kosovo and the stability and progress of the entire Western Balkans".

In an earlier report, VOA also noted that "donors are demanding accountability for their funds".

"I am sure the Kosovo authorities know that they have to make the promises materialize for all people in Kosovo by ensuring that every single euro will be accounted for and put to good use," Rehn was quoted as saying.

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci told the conference that it represented the beginning of a new phase of development and that the authorities in Priština will cooperate with international donors when it comes to spending the money.

In its report from Brussels on Friday, VOA said that "Kosovo's government hoped international donors would pledge about USD 2.36bn".