Kosovo

The newly independent state of Kosovo will need an estimated USD 2 billion in foreign aid over the next few years, about half of which should be provided by Europe, a senior US official said on March 4. The rest of the money could come from the US and such institutions as the World Bank and IMF, Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried said. He was testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Helping the fledgling state, with strong backing from Washington, will require top-level attention into the next US administration, Fried said. (Reuters)