Governor Ismaili engages in high-level exchanges at European Bank Coordination (Vienna Initiative) Forum, reinforcing CBK’s commitment to European integration

The Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK), Mr. Ahmet Ismaili participated in the Annual Full Forum Meeting of the Vienna Initiative, held on 29-30 September 2025 in Brussels and hosted by the European Commission, with the participation of Commissioner Ms. Maria Luís Albuquerque. The Forum brought together central bank governors, regulators, international financial institutions, commercial banks, and representatives from the broader financial sector to discuss the Savings and Investments Union and the future of capital markets integration in Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe (CESEE).

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Boris Vujčić, Governor of the Croatian National Bank and Chair of the Vienna Initiative Steering Committee. High-level participants included Mr. John Berrigan, Director General of DG FISMA, and Mr. Gert Jan Koopman, Director General of DG ENEST, alongside governors and deputy governors from central banks across the CESEE region and representatives of international financial institutions.

The CBK reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing in European market integration, emphasizing the importance of ongoing market infrastructure reforms and Kosovo’s strategic journey toward joining the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). SEPA accession is a priority for the CBK, as it represents not only the modernization of the payment system but also a crucial step toward aligning with EU standards and deepening European financial and economic integration.

Discussions at the Forum underscored the importance of robust financial market infrastructure in supporting the Savings and Investments Union. In this context, CBK continues to advance legislation to broaden access to financing and establish a capital market, alongside reforms aimed at strengthening payment systems, enhancing supervisory practices, and improving the efficiency and resilience of Kosovo’s financial ecosystem. These initiatives aim to foster investor confidence, expand access to financial services, and support the long-term competitiveness of the economy.

On the margins of the Forum, Governor Ismaili held discussions with senior representatives from the European Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB), as well as peer central bank governors from the CESEE region.

The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK) reaffirms its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, accelerating financial integration, and advancing reforms, with SEPA membership serving as a cornerstone of financial modernization and integration, as well as a driver of sustainable economic growth, delivering tangible benefits for the citizens and businesses of Kosovo.