Albania hails Kosovo’s membership into IMF

TIRANA, May 10 – Albania’s Foreign Ministry hailed Kosovo’s membership to the International Monetary Fund. Tirana considered it another historic and significant step, a support for its democratic institutions and people and a real contribution to the region’s stability.
The Foreign Ministry said that the membership to such a prestigious international organization confirms the acknowledgment by the international community of the progress that the Republic of Kosovo has made and the indisputable transformations that it has gone through during the first year as an independent state.
“This step does also express the confidence of the member states on Kosovo’s ability to be a worthy and reliable ally, possessing the proper governing and management capacities,” said a statement.
Tirana added its belief that soon Kosovo would also become part of the World Bank, heading afterwards confidently towards the full consolidation of the democratic institutions, economic development and its accession to the European and Euro – Atlantic structures.
The International Monetary Fund was among the first international institutions in July of last year to recognize Kosovo after it declared independence and seceded from Serbia as a newly independent state.
It had said then its application for membership in the 185-nation lending organization “will be considered in due course.”
Kosovo broke away from Serbia in February 17, 2008 and has been recognized by 56 nations. Serbia, with strong Russian backing, remains vehemently opposed to Kosovo’s split from Belgrade and has vowed to block it from joining international institutions such as the IMF and its sister organization, the World Bank.