EU COMMISSIONER WARNS OF DECREASED ASSISTANCE FOR KOSOVO

PRISTINA, Sept 19 (Hina) - European Union Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Chris Patten on Thursday evening announced in Pristina that financial assistance from the EU for Kosovo would be decreased, stating that this move confirms the normalisation of the situation in that region currently administered by the United Nations where its own newly elected institutions of government should be strengthened. #L# During a brief visit to Kosovo on Thursday, Patten met with the highest international representatives, Kosovo leaders, the UN civil administrator in Kosovo Michael Steiner, Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova and Kosovo Premier Bajram Rexhepi. In Pristina, Patten said that until now the EU was the largest donator assisting Kosovo with almost one billion euros however, he announced a significant decrease of donor funds for that region. The EU has earmarked 50 million euros to help Kosovo next year which is a little more than one-third of the funding set aside for Kosovo this year. European officials in Kosovo nevertheless claim that the decrease only confirms that the situation in Kosovo is gradually becoming normal and that it was necessary to invest in less expensive priorities such as strengthening newly elected Kosovo institutions. This was Patten's first visit to Kosovo since the establishment of Kosovo institutions. He stated that he had promised the Kosovo leadership that he would help them work towards integrating Kosovo into the European family and that he was impressed with the progress made. During his meeting with Patten, President Rugova asked for direct relations between Kosovo and the European Union, while Kosovo Premier Rexhepi asked for further financial assistance from the EU for Kosovo particularly for the health sector. (hina) sp sb