(ANSA) - BRUXELLES - The agreement on participation of Kosovo in EU programmes has been adopted at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. The deal opens up new opportunities for the population of Kosovo, the youngest country in Europe, from research to education. From now on, Pristina, potential candidate to join the EU, can participate in a number of EU programmes, beginning with Erasmus+, dedicated to students and academics, as well as schemes such as COSME which helps small and medium sized businesses to access markets in the EU and beyond, Creative Europe which supports culture and audio-visual sectors, and Europe for Citizens (EFC), which fosters democratic engagement of citizens at EU level.

Kosovo's participation in these programmes will further broaden the ties between the EU and Kosovo's societies on a whole range of levels, most importantly with regard to the respective younger generations. Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe with 42,77% of the inhabitans being under 24 years old.

"Great news for students (#Erasmus+), small businesses and more! #EUperspective real!", EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn wrote on his Twitter account. (ANSA).