BRITISH GOVERNMENT PLEDGES FURTHER FUNDS TO THE KOSOVO PROPERTY AGENCY

On 15 May 2008 the British Government pledged further funding to the KPA in the amount of £500,000, to enable the KPA to continue providing support to displaced property tight holders by resolving  the property disputes which arose from the armed conflict in 1998-1999.

The British Ambassador to Kosovo, Mr. Andy Sparkes and the Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Kosovo (PDSRSG), Mr. Larry Rossin, signed a Memorandum of Understanding providing the additional funding to the KPA. The British Government has supported the KPA in the past, and Mr. Sparks said the British Government “is delighted to be able to continue supporting the KPA  in 2008”.

A total of 39,583 claims for private residential, agricultural and commercial property have been submitted to the KPA. to resolve  The additional funds provided by the British Government will enable the KPA to continue resolving thee claims, and the whole KPA process is expected to be completed in 2010.

The signing ceremony was opened by Mr. Rossin who said in his welcome speech “I am satisfied by the cooperation and support between the KPA and the British Government. It is my pleasure to sign this agreement donating funds to the KPA. It is a good sign that the KPA will be able to continue its work to the benefit of all citizens in Kosovo”.  Mr. Rossin also took the opportunity to encourage other Governments and institutions to support the work of the KPA.

During the signing ceremony, the British Ambassador in Kosovo, Mr. Sparkes said "We want people to get their homes and property back. This funding will support that and further help the people in Kosovo to build a positive future for themselves".

The Acting Director of the KPA, Mr. Leonid Markaryan, thanked the British Government for their donation stating that the additional funding will allow the KPA to continue its important work