Invitated from the independent thinktank for EU policy analysis and debate, Friends of Europe, Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Kosovo  Ahmet Shala, accompanied by Ambassador of Kosovo in Belgium, Ilir Dugolli, participated in a one-day Summit of the European High Level on the topic of a New Era in the Balkans that was organized yesterday in Brussels, Belgium.

Minister Shala sat together with key political figures, including Prime Ministers of Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, and many others from other Balkan countries, and spoke about the economic and political prospects of the Balkans.

During his speech and presentation on the topic: Challenges of Infrastructure: Can Balkan states accomplish projects together?, Shala talked about political and economic progress achieved in Kosovo. He has put special emphasis on regional and international projects in Kosovo that are now being implemented as well as future projects.

He talked about infrastructure projects in several sectors, including energy, telecommunications, etc., and has invited all participants to a greater cooperation in the construction of better infrastructure in the Balkans. Shala mentioned issues in trade relations with countries neighboring Kosovo, putting special emphasis on the commercial blockade of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to Kosovo exports. He has called on neighbors of Kosovo to forget policy rhetorics and narrow interests to focus more on regional projects aiming at improving the welfare of all citizens of the Balkans and ensured that Kosovo will play and continue to play a constructive and active role in the future.