September 15 (SeeNews) - The United States’ agency for international development, USAID, and the government of Kosovo signed an agreement for grants of $34.7 million (32.5 million euro) for USAID activities in the country focused on improvement of public services and EU integration, U.S. ambassador in Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, said on Friday.
“This additional funding will support the United States’ strategic goals for Kosovo, including efforts to advance Kosovo’s integration into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, efforts to promote economic growth and prosperity, and efforts to enhance good government and further support the development of democratic institutions,” Hovenier said during a news conference, as seen in a video published on Kosovo president Vjosa Osmani's Facebook page.
According to Osmani, the agreement will be used to chiefly finance initiatives to improve services in public institutions in Kosovo, tackling corruption.
“By encouraging accountability and efficiency in public institutions, this agreement will contribute to the reduction of corruption and faster response to citizens' needs,” Osmani said.
($ = 0.939)