Brussels, 19/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 17 November, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle and European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn welcomed the decision of the Board of Governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to allow Kosovo to become a member of the EBRD, without prejudice to the positions of EBRD members on the status of Kosovo. This decision “will allow Kosovo to benefit from greater financing and will contribute to promoting Kosovo's socio-economic development. This is another step that will help Kosovo tackle the challenges on its European path”, Füle and Rehn said.
They added that they were going to work in close collaboration with the EBRD “to ensure maximum impact of our respective support for the benefit of the people of Kosovo”. The EBRD's decision follows the Council conclusions of 5 December stipulating that the development of Kosovo would be enhanced through its membership of the EBRD. (CG/transl.fl)