http://en.rian.ru/world/20080611/110073122.html
RUSSIAN INFORMATION AGENCY NOVOSTI
EU holds Kosovo Donors Conference in Brussels
11/06/2008 13:05
BRUSSELS, June 11 (RIA Novosti) - The European Commission
is holding an international conference in Brussels for countries willing to
donate to the social and economic development of Kosovo, the EU executive
body said on Wednesday.
Kosovo unilaterally proclaimed independence from Serbia on February 17. It
has since been recognized by most EU member states, as well as the U.S.
"The aim of the Donors Conference for Kosovo will be to collect pledges from
donors for Kosovo's socio-economic development, and to create the conditions
for growth, investment and jobs for all communities in one of the poorest
parts of Europe," said Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.
"Bringing growth and prosperity to the poorest part of Europe will help
secure stability in the western Balkans," he added, calling upon donors to
contribute generously to Kosovo's development.
EU member states, key international donors, and international financial
institutions, as well as international and UN agencies have been invited to
attend the conference.
Kosovo's annual GDP per capita is estimated at 1,774 euros ($2,732). With
the new state's unemployment rate around 40%, a key challenge over the next
three years for the EU will be to bring about the growth necessary to bring
this figure down.
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Serbian News Network - SNN
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http://www.antic.org/
