Vienna, 9 June 2026
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, opened the “Vienna Economic Forum – Meet Kosovo in Vienna 2026, which this year is held under the auspices of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo and the Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Christian Stocker.
At the beginning of his address in the opening session, “Kosovo’s Path toward Economic Integration and Growth”, Acting Prime Minister Kurti expressed gratitude and appreciation for Austria’s long-standing friendship and continued support for Kosovo.
Acting Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that the partnership between the two countries goes beyond governments, because it lives through people. In this context, he referred to the Kosovo diaspora in Austria, which contributes to Austrian society, strengthens economic ties, and serves as a living bridge between the two states.
He mentioned several companies owned by members of the diaspora in Austria who have returned to invest, as well as Austrian companies that have invested in Kosovo. He also thanked the local companies participating in the Vienna Economic Forum.
Acting Prime Minister Kurti spoke about economic integration as a strategy for growth and about how the conditions for meaningful integration can be built. He stressed that economic integration is achieved not only through declarations, but through infrastructure, energy, digital networks, trade, and investment.
While speaking about the continued economic growth of recent years, the increase in exports, and the rise in foreign direct investment, Acting Prime Minister Kurti underlined that Kosovo is one of the best-performing countries in the region in democratic governance, transparency, and the rule of law.
Alongside closer integration with the European market through the free movement enabled by visa liberalization for the Schengen Area, he said that Kosovo is part of the European Union’s Growth Plan and is preparing to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), as well as the “Roam Like at Home” initiative, as steps toward integration into the European market.
In the context of measures to facilitate economic integration, Acting Prime Minister Kurti spoke about plans to build railway infrastructure, create an internal network, and connect with the region and Europe.
Acting Prime Minister Kurti also spoke about building a sustainable economy for decades to come, where investment is made not only in infrastructure and energy, but also in people. For companies considering investments in the Western Balkans, he emphasized that Kosovo offers a compelling combination: a 10% corporate tax rate, the euro as the official currency, a young and growing workforce, and a clear path toward European Union membership, providing the regulatory predictability sought by long-term investors.
