The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has assessed the country’s progress in various fields, based on the findings of the European Commission’s Report on Kosovo.
Presenting the achievements recorded in the report, in a media conference, Kurti mentioned the economic growth of 5.4 percent in the first quarter of this year, the increase in budget revenues by 8.3 percent, as well as the improvement of the business environment and the reduction of the informal economy.
He emphasized that employment and participation in the labor market have also increased, while the “Superpuna” scheme, according to him, has given very good results. Kurti also mentioned the expansion of coverage with child allowances, the increase of the minimum wage to 500 euros and the increase of the number of labor inspectors to 120.
In education, he singled out the increase in the enrollment of five-year-old children in pre-primary education to 87 percent, the expansion of dual education in 16 profiles and the increase in the budget for scientific research by 85 percent.
Kurti also mentioned progress in the field of energy, environmental protection, trade and cooperation with the European Union, including the entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement with EFTA.
As for the European integration process, Kurti said that Kosovo continues to be the only country in the Western Balkans without the status of a candidate country, although, according to him, it has proven commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
He has admitted that the institutional blockade of the Assembly has influenced the slowdown of reforms and the delays in the ratification of the Growth Plan agreements, as well as in the adoption of some laws.
The Head of the Government has announced that the institutions will continue with the adoption of laws related to the justice system, work, safety at work, public procurement and other areas, calling them important for the alignment of Kosovo with European standards.
In the end, Kurti reiterated the request that the European Union submit to Kosovo as soon as possible the questionnaire on the status of the candidate country and take the decision to open negotiations for membership.
He emphasized that the reforms will continue, since, according to him, the path to EU membership goes through them.
Speaking about the evaluations of the report, Kurti emphasized that Kosovo’s progress in the fight against organized crime has been evaluated better compared to last year.
“In the fight against organized crime, our level has been raised. Progress has been assessed better than last year in the reform of public administration, in justice, freedom and security, in the free movement of capital, in financial services, in statistics, in the management of European Union funds and in freedom of expression”, emphasized Kurti.
He also mentioned the election processes held during the reporting period, saying that the European Commission has evaluated them as peaceful, competitive and well managed.
“During the reporting period, these past 12 months, we have held three pairs of elections, municipal in October 2025 and parliamentary in December 2025 and June 2026. The Commission evaluates them all as peaceful, competitive and well managed. The representation of women in the Assembly reached 34%. Above the legal quota, women lead the Assembly and seven of the 16 parliamentary committees”, said Kurti.
