The EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Aivo Orav, together with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development, Faton Peci, inaugurated today the new regional office of the Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency (KFVA) in Pristina.

The newly-constructed facility is one of five regional offices built under an EU-funded project, financed through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) 2017 program, with a total investment of EUR 2.5 million. These offices, located in Pristina, Prizren, Pejë/Peć, Gjilan/Gnjilane, and Mitrovica South, are designed to meet KFVA’s current and future needs with the aim to strengthen food safety and public health systems in Kosovo.

“This project is not just about buildings; it’s about protecting consumer health, ensuring food safety, and upholding public health standards for the benefit of the people of Kosovo. By aligning with EU food safety and public health standards, Kosovo is advancing on its EU path while creating opportunities for economic growth and trade,” said Ambassador Orav.

The new KFVA regional offices embody the "from farm to fork" approach, maintaining food safety standards across the entire supply chain. They strengthen KFVA's administrative capacities and support Kosovo’s agricultural and food industries in aligning with EU regulations and complying with EU standards, opening up opportunities for trade and economic growth.

The EU’s investment in food safety and public health reflects its broader commitment to supporting Kosovo’s European path. Through initiatives like this one, the EU aims to enhance institutional capacities, improve public health, and boost the competitiveness of Kosovo’s industries.

The construction of these regional offices is a significant step forward in aligning Kosovo’s food safety infrastructure with EU standards, benefiting both the people of Kosovo and the agricultural sector.