Prishtina, 31 July 2022
The speech of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, at the joint press conference with the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli:
Honourable guests,
Thank you for coming to this press conference today, and for welcoming this wonderful news for our country.
Until now, the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo have experienced continuous energy crises. With the signing of the Compact Program Agreement for the energy sector, the Government has not only deepened relations with our main western ally, but has concretely begun work on the transformation of the energy sector based on energy independence, the sustainability of the sector and the preservation of the environment.
In Washington DC, we signed the agreement by which the United States of America, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, has agreed to give Kosovo a grant in the amount of 202 million dollars. This is the largest one-time grant in the history of liberated Kosovo. The Government of Kosovo has pledged to support the program with 34.7 million dollars as co-financing, thus bringing the total value of the program to 236.7 million dollars.
Investments of the Compact Program will be the property of Kosovo and will include three projects:
The first is energy reserve and arbitration, or batteries with a capacity of 340 MW;
The second is the development of the workforce and the inclusion of women in the energy sector; and
The third is the US Institute Catalyst for Development Project.
These three projects will reduce the need to purchase regulatory services, reduce the cost of energy imports, and accelerate the integration of renewable resources into the grid. At the same time, professional frameworks are developed in the field of energy, and investments in the private sector are encouraged.
Therefore, a big step has been taken in the energy sector but also in the economy, so now I am passing the floor to the host, the Minister of Economy, Ms. Artane Rizvanolli, at the same time the signatory of this Compact Program with the CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Ms. Alice Albright.
Last modified: August 1, 2022