Prishtina, 15.10.2020 – In the framework of the regular annual reporting, the Secretary-General of MEE, Fatos Qerimi, and the Head of the Department for European Integration, Policy Coordination and Economic Development at the Ministry of Economy and Environment (MEE), Leonita Shabani – Mullarama, participated in the IV virtual meeting of the Stabilization and Association Committee between the European Union and Kosovo.

 

The meeting was chaired by Genoveva Ruiz Calavera, Director for the Western Balkans at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations, and Artan Çollaku, Director of the Department for Coordination of the Stabilization and Association Process within the Office of the Prime Minister, from the Government of Kosovo.

 

The meeting confirmed MEE’s commitment to the fulfilment of the obligations deriving from the EU-Kosovo Stabilization and Association Agreement and other documents in the field of European integration.

 

With regard to Innovation and Information Society, it was confirmed that the legal basis for innovation and entrepreneurship is in the process of being drafted. In addition, capital investment was emphasized towards the establishment of Regional Centres for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the structuring of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fund, in order to support the innovative ideas of entrepreneurs.

 

During the meeting it was emphasized that MEE has submitted to the Government the two basic laws in the field of information society, namely the draft law on measures to reduce the cost of deploying high-speed electronic communications networks and the draft law on electronic identification and trust services in electronic transactions.

 

The meeting highlighted the progress in the field of harmonization of legislation while the country’s institutions were encouraged to continue aligning with the best EU standards in key sectors including economic development, energy and environment.

 

It was also emphasized that Kosovo is making progress towards establishing a National Research and Education Network, which will enable academics, scientists and students to interact with their counterparts abroad.

 

It was also announced that the Digital Economy project is in the process of implementation and it is expected that many households, public schools and health institutions will be connected to the Internet for free for the next five years. Progress has also been made towards the adoption of bylaws in the field of postal services.

 

Regarding Energy and Environment, the MEE representatives emphasized the approval of the bylaws of the Law on Energy Efficiency, the full functioning of the Energy Efficiency Fund, as well as the plan regarding the creation of incentive policy for households and the private sector, in order for these categories to benefit directly from the Energy Efficiency Fund. Progress was emphasized regarding the project of decommissioning of TPP Kosova A, drafting of the new Energy Strategy and of the National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030.

 

The discussion ended with the topic related to the activities aimed at developing a competitive scheme for investments in renewable energy sources, continuation of the alignment of legislation on environment, the air pollution reduction plan, solid waste plan, and the identification of the location for the enterprise for storage of hazardous materials.