Bilateral relations

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg established a diplomatic presence in Kosovo as early as 1999, in the aftermath of the conflict, marking the beginning of longstanding and sustainable relations between the two countries. Bilateral ties have continued to strengthen in recent years, as reflected in regular high‑level engagements, including four visits by the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri, underscoring the importance attached to this partnership.

Initially focused on humanitarian assistance and post-conflict reconstruction, the relationship evolved over time into structured, long-term cooperation. The Cooperation Office in Pristina was upgraded to an Embassy in 2013, becoming Luxembourg’s only embassy in the region. This continuous engagement has helped consolidate a partnership built on trust, now embedded within a comprehensive framework that brings together diplomacy, development, and defense.

Defense and Security

Luxembourg has played an active role in supporting peace and stability in Kosovo through its longstanding contribution to the NATO‑led Kosovo Force (KFOR) since 1999. From 1999 to 2017, this engagement constituted the longest external military mission in the history of the Luxembourg Armed Forces, with a continuous presence of over 18 years involving a total of 1,178 Luxembourgish soldiers.

Since 2017, Luxembourg has continued to support KFOR through the establishment and equipment of an advanced Role 2 hospital. In response to the evolving security context, Luxembourg decided in February 2024 to resume an active military presence as of April 2025 with the deployment—under Luxembourgish leadership—of a Benelux specialised drone unit. This marks the first time Luxembourg has assumed such a leading role within a Benelux military mission, described by Minister Yuriko Backes as a new milestone in Benelux defence cooperation.

Diplomatic Relations

Luxembourg was among the first countries to recognize the independence of Kosovo on 21 February 2008, shortly after its declaration, and has since actively supported its integration into the European Union. Luxembourg also consistently backs Kosovo’s membership efforts in international organizations, including UNESCO, the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), and the Council of Europe.

During Luxembourg’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2015, the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Kosovo was signed, and the European Reform Agenda (ERA) was launched, both key steps in Kosovo’s EU integration process.

The bilateral relationship is rooted in shared values and longstanding commitments, reflected in a solid partnership encompassing development cooperation, defense, and economic and cultural exchanges. Approximately 1,200 Kosovar nationals reside in Luxembourg, and a Luxembourg–Kosovo parliamentary friendship group has been active since 2017.

Development Cooperation

Luxembourg has been a longstanding development cooperation partner of Kosovo. It opened a Cooperation Office in Pristina shortly after the 1999 conflict, initially focusing on humanitarian aid and reconstruction. In 2001, Luxembourg shifted its efforts toward long‑term development programmes.

In 2013, Luxembourg and Kosovo signed the 1st Bilateral Agreement (2013–2016) with a dedicated budget of €24 million. In 2016, a second MoU in the amount of €30 million was signed for the 2017–2020 period, while the 3rd MOU for the period 2023–2025 amounting €35 million. Since 1999, Luxembourg’s total contributions to Kosovo have exceeded €100 million prioritizing health, vocational education and training, civil society, and support for Kosovo’s EU‑integration efforts.

On 7 July 2025, the governments of Kosovo and Luxembourg signed the fourth MoU in Luxembourg, covering the period 2026–2030 and supported by a budget of €50 million. This agreement reaffirms the strong partnership between the two countries and sets out shared priorities in key areas such as health, vocational and technical education, inclusive economic growth, and support for civil society. It also marks a diversification of Luxembourg’s cooperation by enhancing collaboration with both the Kosovar and Luxembourg private and research sectors.

Public–Private Sector Engagement

Luxembourg plays a key role in strengthening Kosovo’s private sector through innovative financing instruments, skills development initiatives, and academic cooperation. The Business Partnership Facility (BPF) remains a major mechanism for fostering partnerships between Luxembourgish and Kosovar companies, encouraging private‑sector‑led solutions with strong development impact.

The LuxAid Demonstration Fund supports mature companies with scalable solutions, while the LuxAid Challenge Fund targets innovative, high‑impact startups offering solutions to specific development challenges.

Further support comes from the House of Training, which provides specialized professional training to Kosovo’s financial sector, training more than 80% of Kosovo’s bankers to date. Cooperation between the University of Pristina and the University of Luxembourg also enhances academic exchange and research collaboration, particularly in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Trade and Economic Relations

Economic relations between Luxembourg and Kosovo have developed positively in recent years. Kosovo offers several competitive advantages, including proximity to the European Union, the use of the euro, a young and skilled workforce, and overall macroeconomic stability.

A business mission from the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce to Pristina in September 2023, along with exploratory visits by FEDAM and ArcelorMittal, identified opportunities in key sectors such as ICT, financial services, engineering, wood and metal industries, and renewable energy.

Several Luxembourgish companies, such as SolarCleano, Enex, Faymonville Distribution, FTA Communication Technologies, E‑LMA, and Luxembourg Air Ambulance, have established or expanded activities in Kosovo. At the same time, Kosovar companies including 3ICS, Kutija, GreenHouse, and T‑Block (from Albania) have set up operations in Luxembourg.

Cultural Exchanges

Cultural cooperation between Luxembourg and Kosovo continues to expand, bringing artists and audiences from both countries closer together. Luxembourgish musicians and performers increasingly feature in Kosovo’s cultural landscape: the Benoît Martiny Band performed at the Rock and Blues Festival in Prizren, the Veda Bartringer Quartet participated in the International Jazz Days in Mitrovicë.At the FemArt Festival, Sylvia Camarda presented In Memoriam, and Rhiannon Morgan performed AdH(A)rA.

At the DAM Festival, Francesco Tristano and Pascal Schumacher performed alongside members of the Kosovo Philharmonic. Other exchanges include an exhibition by Superjhemp author Lucien Czuga at the Embassy in Pristina and the screening of the Superjhemp film during the Gran Festival 2025. Pianist Vadym Kholodenko also appeared at the Chopin Piano Fest, adding to the growing artistic dialogue.Together, these events highlight the diversity of Luxembourg’s cultural scene and continue to strengthen ties between the people of Luxembourg and Kosovo.