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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
EU sanctions cost Kosovo 600 million euros in stalled funds, says think tank
ATHENS - Kosovo has lost out on more than 600 million euros of external funding relating to environmental protection and energy projects among others, since the European Union imposed sanctions in 2023, according to a report by the GAP Institute think tank. Kosovo's government disputes the sum, but the report, by a local body, gives one of the first independent assessments of the impact on one of Europe's poorest countries of sanctions for its role in stoking ethnic tensions in its Serb-majority north. "The measures ... have resulted in significant financial and developmental consequences, costing Kosovo around 613.4 million euros in suspended or indefinitely delayed projects," the GAP Institute said in its report. The affected funds relate to various financial instruments that have helped Kosovo's development since it gained independence from Serbia in 2008. The most-hit sectors are environment and energy, where more than 460 million euros have been stalled, the report said. That represents a big blow for a country that desperately needs to reduce its reliance on coal-fired power generation. Earlier this year, Reuters identified at least 150 million euros in stalled funds. The EU has not publicly said how much is delayed. Kosovo's government disputes both figures. Apart from 7.1 million euros that it says have been lost due to contracts expiring, the funds "are neither lost nor at risk" because they will resume when sanctions are lifted, a spokesperson told Reuters on Tuesday. The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said last week that the bloc would begin to "gradually" lift the sanctions, on the condition that Kosovo de-escalate tensions in the north. A senior diplomat told Reuters that the EU would begin to provide technical assistance for EU-funded projects in the next few weeks but that there was currently no plan to disburse funds. Kosovo is not recognised as a state by some EU members, which makes lifting the sanctions more difficult. The gradual lifting "is not very substantial and it is very unlikely that the EU can move forward with funding," the diplomat said. Kosovo has aspirations to join the EU. However, that process has also been hobbled by Prime Minister Albin Kurti's role in raising tensions in the north by systematically closing Serb-run institutions, banning the use of the Serbian dinar within its borders, and choking trade. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
San Francisco Chronicle
24-04-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Top international official in Bosnia cuts financing for ruling Serb parties to pressure separatists
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — The top international official in Bosnia on Thursday cut all budgetary financing for ruling political parties in the Serb-run part of the country, increasing the pressure on the entity's pro-Russian president who is wanted over his separatist policies. Christian Schmidt, a German diplomat tasked with overseeing peace in Bosnia, accused the leadership of the Serb-run Republika Srpska entity of undermining the Dayton accords that ended the 1992-95 war in the country. Schmidt announced his move a day after Bosnian state police officers attempted to detain Milorad Dodik, the president of Republika Srpska, but were prevented by armed Bosnian Serb police. Schmidt's Office of the High Representative has the authority to change and impose laws in Bosnia. Dodik is wanted for undermining Bosnia's constitution with a series of laws boosting the independence of the Serb-run half of the country. Bosnian courts issued an arrest warrant for Dodik in March after he failed to appear for questioning. Schmidt said his decision on Thursday 'supports the efforts by institutions of Bosnia-Herzegovina to counter the ongoing flagrant attacks ... against the fundamental principles of the Dayton peace agreement and the constitutional and legal order.' Dodik has repeatedly called for the separation of the Serb-dominated territory from the rest of Bosnia, fueling fears of instability. He has faced U.S. and British sanctions for his separatism, but has had the support of Moscow. The suspension of budgetary funds for Dodik's Alliance of Independent Social Democrats and allied United Srpska parties applies to all levels of government in Bosnia, Schmidt said. Those who fail to apply it will be held accountable, he added. Dodik on Thursday rejected Schmidt's moves as illegal, threatening to arrest the German official if he came to Republika Srpska. 'It is impossible to accept this. Republika Srpska will not accept it,' Dodik said. Wednesday's botched attempt to detain Dodik reflects ongoing tensions in Bosnia years after the war which killed more than 100,000 people and displaced millions. The country is formally seeking European Union entry but progress has been stalled. The Bosnian State Investigation and Security Agency, or SIPA, said its officers gave up on their attempt to detain Dodik at a Republika Srpska government building east of the capital Sarajevo on Wednesday to avoid any incidents with the Serb armed police.
Toronto Star
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Top international official in Bosnia cuts financing for ruling Serb parties to pressure separatists
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — The top international official in Bosnia on Thursday cut all budgetary financing for ruling political parties in the Serb-run part of the country, increasing the pressure on the entity's pro-Russian president who is wanted over his separatist policies. Christian Schmidt, a German diplomat tasked with overseeing peace in Bosnia, accused the leadership of the Serb-run Republika Srpska entity of undermining the Dayton accords that ended the 1992-95 war in the country.
Hamilton Spectator
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Top international official in Bosnia cuts financing for ruling Serb parties to pressure separatists
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — The top international official in Bosnia on Thursday cut all budgetary financing for ruling political parties in the Serb-run part of the country, increasing the pressure on the entity's pro-Russian president who is wanted over his separatist policies. Christian Schmidt, a German diplomat tasked with overseeing peace in Bosnia, accused the leadership of the Serb-run Republika Srpska entity of undermining the Dayton accords that ended the 1992-95 war in the country. Schmidt announced his move a day after Bosnian state police officers attempted to detain Milorad Dodik , the president of Republika Srpska, but were prevented by armed Bosnian Serb police. Schmidt's Office of the High Representative has the authority to change and impose laws in Bosnia. Dodik is wanted for undermining Bosnia's constitution with a series of laws boosting the independence of the Serb-run half of the country. Bosnian courts issued an arrest warrant for Dodik in March after he failed to appear for questioning. Schmidt said his decision on Thursday 'supports the efforts by institutions of Bosnia-Herzegovina to counter the ongoing flagrant attacks ... against the fundamental principles of the Dayton peace agreement and the constitutional and legal order.' Dodik has repeatedly called for the separation of the Serb-dominated territory from the rest of Bosnia, fueling fears of instability. He has faced U.S. and British sanctions for his separatism, but has had the support of Moscow. The suspension of budgetary funds for Dodik's Alliance of Independent Social Democrats and allied United Srpska parties applies to all levels of government in Bosnia, Schmidt said. Those who fail to apply it will be held accountable, he added. Dodik on Thursday rejected Schmidt's moves as illegal, threatening to arrest the German official if he came to Republika Srpska. 'It is impossible to accept this. Republika Srpska will not accept it,' Dodik said. Wednesday's botched attempt to detain Dodik reflects ongoing tensions in Bosnia years after the war which killed more than 100,000 people and displaced millions. The country is formally seeking European Union entry but progress has been stalled. The Bosnian State Investigation and Security Agency, or SIPA, said its officers gave up on their attempt to detain Dodik at a Republika Srpska government building east of the capital Sarajevo on Wednesday to avoid any incidents with the Serb armed police. Dodik left the building on Thursday under heavy security. The Bosnian war erupted in 1992 after Serbs staged an armed rebellion against the country's independence from the former Yugoslavia and moved to unite with neighboring Serbia.
Washington Post
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Top international official in Bosnia cuts financing for ruling Serb parties to pressure separatists
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina — The top international official in Bosnia on Thursday cut all budgetary financing for ruling political parties in the Serb-run part of the country, increasing the pressure on the entity's pro-Russian president who is wanted over his separatist policies . Christian Schmidt, a German diplomat tasked with overseeing peace in Bosnia, accused the leadership of the Serb-run Republika Srpska entity of undermining the Dayton accords that ended the 1992-95 war in the country. Schmidt announced his move a day after Bosnian state police officers attempted to detain Milorad Dodik , the president of Republika Srpska, but were prevented by armed Bosnian Serb police. Schmidt's Office of the High Representative has the authority to change and impose laws in Bosnia. Dodik is wanted for undermining Bosnia's constitution with a series of laws boosting the independence of the Serb-run half of the country. Bosnian courts issued an arrest warrant for Dodik in March after he failed to appear for questioning. Schmidt said his decision on Thursday 'supports the efforts by institutions of Bosnia-Herzegovina to counter the ongoing flagrant attacks ... against the fundamental principles of the Dayton peace agreement and the constitutional and legal order.' Dodik has repeatedly called for the separation of the Serb-dominated territory from the rest of Bosnia, fueling fears of instability. He has faced U.S. and British sanctions for his separatism, but has had the support of Moscow. The suspension of budgetary funds for Dodik's Alliance of Independent Social Democrats and allied United Srpska parties applies to all levels of government in Bosnia, Schmidt said. Those who fail to apply it will be held accountable, he added. Dodik on Thursday rejected Schmidt's moves as illegal, threatening to arrest the German official if he came to Republika Srpska. 'It is impossible to accept this. Republika Srpska will not accept it,' Dodik said. Wednesday's botched attempt to detain Dodik reflects ongoing tensions in Bosnia years after the war which killed more than 100,000 people and displaced millions. The country is formally seeking European Union entry but progress has been stalled. The Bosnian State Investigation and Security Agency, or SIPA, said its officers gave up on their attempt to detain Dodik at a Republika Srpska government building east of the capital Sarajevo on Wednesday to avoid any incidents with the Serb armed police. Dodik left the building on Thursday under heavy security. The Bosnian war erupted in 1992 after Serbs staged an armed rebellion against the country's independence from the former Yugoslavia and moved to unite with neighboring Serbia.
