EU gives five million euro for immediate needs of Kosovo to fight coronavirus

Gazeta Express

30/03/2020 20:27

Head of the EU Office in Kosovo/Special Representative, Nataliya Apostolova, has signed on Monday a five-million-euro contract with the UNOPS for immediate needs of Kosovo to fight coronavirus pandemic. The signing ceremony was aired live in Facebook account of the EU Office in Kosovo, through a virtual platform of meetings.

Ambassador Apostolova said the EU is committed to help Kosovo fight spread of coronavirus pandemic. 94 cases have been tested positive in Kosovo with the virus claiming first life last week. “We have signed today a contract with UNOPS to supply Kosovo with specialized laboratory equipment at the value of 5 million euro. The supplies include 30 respirators/ventilators, 75 infusion pumps and 75 syringe infusion pumps, 5 ambulance vehicles, 400 hospital beds… As part of immediate aid, the EU is working in providing up to 60 million euro for economic recovery after the end of coronavirus pandemic. The EU is with people of Kosovo. We are here together and together we will be stronger,” Apostolova said.

Kosovo’s caretaker prime minister, Albin Kurti, has welcomed the EU’s help in Kosovo to fight COVID-19 pandemic, saying that he hopes the country will overcome the crisis soon. “We are happy for this important day for your solidarity towards people and institutions of Kosovo. I am here with the minister of Health and minister of EU Integration. We thank you for helping us fight spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Coronavirus knows no borders. With the EU help we will become more self-confident in this struggle and we are confident that we will overcome this situation as soon as possible and with the least possible consequences,” Kurti said. /GazetaExpress/