Prishtina, September 11, 2009 – Ministry of Energy and Mining (MEM), in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), introduced the project “Campaign for Efficient Lighting”. Attending the meeting was also the German Deputy Ambassador in Prishtina, Eckart Blaurock. On this occasion, the deputy Prime Minister of Energy and Mining, Dr. Tech. Blerim Rexha, expressed his gratitude to the German country for the readiness shown to assist the energy sector of the Republic of Kosovo, including through energy saving campaigns.

Furthermore, he said that the Ministry is dedicated to initiate other similar projects with the aim of meeting the objectives of the Government of Kosovo. “Inspired by EU policies in the field, improvement of energy efficiency and its saving is an obligation of our country in the scope of the obligations within the Energy Community Treaty” said the Deputy Minister, Dr. Tech. Blerim Rexha.

He noted that MEM has also set indicative annual and long-term targets of the sector, which aim to see Kosovo meet the EU 20-20-20 objective. Furthermore, Rexha mentioned the fact that the Republic of Kosovo aims to integrated into EU as soon as possible”. This also requires the implementation of the objectives of the EU 20-20-20 plan for the energy sector,  which means that by year 2020 green-gas emissions shall be reduced by 20%, the share of energy generation from renewable energy sources shall be increased by 20%, and energy efficiency shall be increased by 20%.

On the other hand Eckart Blaurock, German Deputy Ambassador in Prishtina, praised the initiative of the Ministry of Energy and Mining for efficient lighting, and added that such projects demonstrate the decisiveness of the Kosovo Government to move the energy sector forward. “Energy saving is an ongoing topic in the EU and Kosovo shall also undertake significant steps, by increasing the awareness of the population on the importance of energy saving” said Blaurock.

In addition, Gabriela Becker, GTZ representative, confirmed the support of GTZ for project of this nature, which would be initiated by the Ministry of Energy and Mining, and considered that this initiative is very important for raising the awareness of the public for energy saving. This Project is supported by GTZ and is aimed at raising the awareness of the public on ways to save electricity.