Kosovo ready to pay back foreign debts

Prishtina, 1 February 2007 – The Kosovar Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) is preparing to pay back foreign debts. Kosovo should pay these debts according to Ahtisaari’s package on the final status solution. MEF has already started hiring people who would deal with the issue.

Behxhet Brajshori, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance said: “If we have to start paying back debts this year, we will have to review the budget.”

It is estimated that Kosovo’s foreign debts are around €850 million. Officials of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (KCC) and also economic experts said Kosovo should not pay these debts as long as it is not considered an equal member when it comes to sharing the wealth of former Yugoslavia.

ECIKS