Prishtina, 02.11.2020 – Minister of Economy and Environment, Blerim Kuçi, represented Kosovo in the Western Balkans Digital Summit, which this year took place in Tirana. This is an initiative in the framework of the Berlin Process and Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area.

 

The Summit was opened by the European Union Commissioners, Thierry Bretton and Mariya Gabriel, RCC Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu and Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.

 

In addition to the ministers’ speeches, 6 countries of the Western Balkans signed two Memoranda of Understanding during this Summit.

 

1. Memorandum of Understanding on a 5G Roadmap for Digital Transformation in the Western Balkans Region.

 

2. Memorandum of Understanding on Regional Interoperability and Trust Services in the Western Balkans Region.

 

Minister Blerim Kuçi delivered a speech in this Summit, pointing out the works in which the Government is engaged to be in step with technological world in terms of infrastructure and spaces created by the institutions.

 

“We support the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans and taking the opportunity of the moment imposed from the crisis from COVID-19 pandemic, we are of the opinion that together we can find a solution to overcome certain elements of the crisis through ICT, which at the same time will impact the digital transformation”, stated among other Minister Kuçi.

 

What Kosovo has actually achieved in this sector and that Minister Kuçi presented before regional counterparts and European commissioners include: covering all white areas with fibre optic by 2020, establishment of the Broadband Competence Office, National Research and Education Network to be integrated in Pan-European GÉANT Network, Electronic Broadband Atlas for Infrastructure, Services and Investments in Electronic Communication Networks, advancement to 5G and memoranda signed for 5G highway, establishment of the Digital Technology Park in Prishtina and Digital Excellence Centre in Prizren.

 

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Kuçi took the opportunity to meet delegations of neighbour countries, discussing the bilateral cooperation and exchange of best experiences.