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Press Release
9 September 2008
UK gives its backing to development in Kosovo
Shahid Malik, UK Minister for International Development, visits Kosovo today to
give the UK’s backing for the world’s newest country.
As the first UK Minister to meet the new republic’s President and Prime Minister
he will signal the UK’s support for economic growth and see for himself how
Kosovo can become a good place to do business.
His visit follows this summer’s international donor conference at which the UK
pledged £23 million to help Kosovo over the next three years.
Speaking ahead of his visit Mr Malik said:
"I’m going to Kosovo to understand for myself how the Government of Kosovo is
taking on the challenge of building a prosperous new nation, heading towards
European integration.
"Stability, prosperity, strong government and effective rule of law, for all
communities in Kosovo, are what I want to see and what all Kosovans want to see.
With support from the international community, and under the leadership of the
Government of Kosovo, this can be achieved."
During his visit Mr Malik will meet key members of the Government and explore
ways to help Kosovo make the best use of the £1.2 billion donor pledges they
received at the conference in July. Following Kosovo’s declaration of
independence earlier this year, the top priority has been economic growth and
employment and the UK is working with others in the international community to
make sure this is supported.
The UK is backing the Government of Kosovo’s progress towards entry to the EU by
helping it improve the performance of government institutions and helping it
strengthen the management of its public finances.
Mr Malik will also visit the historic town of Prizren where he will hear from
religious leaders about what is being done to restore the formerly divided town
and bring about ethnic tolerance. He’ll also hear from children at the local
school about how their lives have changed since independence and how they learn
together in a multi-ethnic setting.
The last leg of his trip will include a visit to the town of Rahovec and some of
its local firms to find out more about doing business in Kosovo.
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Notes to editors
There will be the following media opportunities during the visit of Shahid Malik, UK Minister for International Development:
- Press point with President of Kosovo, Tuesday 9 September 10:00-10:15 at Kosovo Assembly Building. There will be an opportunity for a short Q&A.
- Press point with Prime Minister of Kosovo, Tuesday 9 September 11:15-11:25 at the Government Building. There will be an opportunity for a short Q&A.
- Press Conference, Wednesday 10 September, 11:00-11:30, Prizren at the Marash Tree. The Minister will issue a statement and will take questions.
For further information contact Ann Murduck, British Embassy Pristina +377 (0)44 506 803 or Rhyddid Carter, DFID Press Office +44 (0)207 023 0533 or 020 7023 0600, or e-mail r-carter@dfid.gov.uk