"The requested amount is the minimum we need to move forwards to prosperity, however, we wanted to be realistic and we believe that we will receive this amount. Although this money amount will not resolve all issues, at least it will help us overcome the current situation," said the Minister of Economy and Finance, Ahmet Shala, during a press conference.

According to him, "the proposed projects cover only a part of the time frame of Kosovo economic development process, but they also make up the basic document for the donors explaining the priorities of the government."

As an encouragement that this funding will be secured from the donors’ conference, Minister Shala mentions capital investments that the government has done up to June which amount to 215 million Euros and the removal of budget surplus.

“The main argument is that the government has taken the necessary steps to overcome challenges in executing the budget. Although the budget this year has been approved with a two month delay, it surpassed last year’s same period capital investment by 100%, whereas operative expenditure has been cut by 47%. We believe that the surplus by the end of the year will be at a minimum, which has been a concern for donors,” said Shala. He also expressed optimism that all the projects financed by the donors will be led by the Kosovo Government.

At the donors’ conference which will be led by the European Commission, are invited only the countries that expressed readiness and guarantee that they are interested to help in considerable amounts. Invited are the EU, World Bank, European Investment Bank, European Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, Japan, Canada, Turkey and other members of the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Priority areas of the Kosovo Government are split into four. The first one is economic growth which includes infrastructure, education, agriculture, financial sector, and fiscal policies.

In the second area are status implementation projects which include decentralization, security, creation of new institutions and minority issues, whereas the third one includes good governance, reform of public administration, fight of corruption and improvement in capital spending execution.