Senior officials from 47 donor countries and 34 international organizations met in Brussels today to discuss Kosovo’s medium-term reconstruction program, prepared jointly by EC/World Bank experts in support of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Donors pledged over US$1 billion to kick-start the first phase of the program, which will cover recovery needs until December 2000.

The meeting was co-chaired by Fabrizio Barbaso, Director for the Western Balkans, European Commission and Christiaan Poortman, World Bank Country Director and Regional Co-ordinator for South East Europe.

To open the conference, External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten sent a message to confirm the Commission’s commitment to the people of Kosovo. After a moment’s silence to remember those who lost their lives in last Friday’s air crash in Pristina, UN Administrator Bernard Kouchner then urged the international community to provide the necessary means to fulfill its commitment and bring Kosovo to peace, stability and democracy.

The EC/World Bank reconstruction program was presented by Fabrizio Barbaso, and Christiaan Poortman, presented the World Bank’s economic report. The UNMIK delegation headed by Mr. J. Dixon, Deputy Special Representative for reconstruction and development, and Mr. D. Mc Namara, Deputy Special Representative for humanitarian assistance gave an update on the current situation on the ground.

See Kosovo page.