Prishtina, 23 October, 2024
Dear Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Dear citizens,
Dear media workers,
Last week we were in Berlin and at the Berlin Process Summit. The Republic of Kosovo has been committed to the Berlin Process for more than 10 years in order to crown it a success, as we did. It turned out to be a successful process which has brought the countries of the region closer to each other and all together in the European Union. In Berlin, we signed the fifth agreement in three summits of this process. While we announced the decision to end the nearly two-year wait for Bosnia and Herzegovina to ratify the agreement on free movement with ID cards also signed in Berlin, precisely on November 3, 2022 – thus enabling the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to travel with identity cards in the direction of Kosovo, from January 1 of the next year, i.e. from January 1 of 2025.
The new agreement on Access to Higher Education and Admission to Study in the Western Balkans, which we signed in Berlin on October 14, is a continuation of the agreement on the Mutual Recognition of degrees for higher education institutions. The agreement facilitates the application procedures for those who want to pursue studies in accredited institutions of higher education in the Western Balkans, on the basis of the same conditions and criteria. So, with this agreement, after ratification and the corresponding legal procedures in the signatory countries, a student who has just finished high school or a student who wants to continue his master’s studies will have an easier time starting his studies in public institutions of higher education. in one of the six countries of the Western Balkans. This will increase mobility as well as opportunities for our citizens within our region.
In Berlin, we also signed the declaration for the Common Regional Market 2024-2028 and approved the new Action Plan, which is now the pillar of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, from which our Republic benefits up to 882.6 million euros. The actions of this plan are oriented towards the advancement of the four freedoms, the creation of a favorable environment for businesses, the development of human capital, digitization and innovation. The implementation of these measures can bring a 10% increase in the economies of the states of the region, as well as bring the region closer to the EU Single Market.
Furthermore, in the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, we also approved three declarations:
•The Joint Declaration for the Re-Emphasis of Good Neighborly Relations and Regional Cooperation;
• That on the Verification Standards of Foreign Direct Investments in the Six Western Balkans Region; AND
• Declaration on Access to Research and Innovation Infrastructures and Cooperation;
We have been and will be staunch supporters and highly active members of the Berlin Process, which affirms and advocates openly and relentlessly for greater regional cooperation based on EU values and rules. And this weekend we will also welcome the President of the European Commission, Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, precisely to discuss the implementation of the Reform and Growth Plan, the benefits for Kosovo and our citizens.
And in our republic, the development of the electronic communications sector is gaining momentum. At the regional level, Kosovo has the highest percentage of network coverage and internet services in households and businesses.
By supporting it with loans, we pulled the public operator out of the abyss and are leading it towards development. Kosovo Telecom, in partnership with technology giants from Sweden and Croatia, is modernizing 4G/5G mobile phone services throughout our country. Almost every day you can see announcements from Telecom and our Ministry of Economy regarding the modernization of Vala services in the municipalities of our country all over, including the northern municipalities, as a result of the investments that are being made.
These investments, in addition to improving the services of our public operator, have also produced positive effects in the private sector. In which case, the other operator is also expanding the scope of the 5G service network. From this competition that is being promoted by the public enterprise, there is no doubt that our citizens and businesses will benefit in services and offers. Thanks to these developments, Kosovo is being further integrated into the world map of internet services. This week, the Regulatory Authority for Electronic and Postal Communications has issued the general authorization for the company Starlink, which provides satellite Internet access services. This authorization represents an important step for the advancement of the digital infrastructure in the country and offers numerous opportunities for internet access in every location and corner of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. Starlink has among other things proven extremely important around the world in enabling critical communication during natural disasters or other national emergencies.
The development of the electronic communications sector in our country will continue on the principle of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Kosovo and for the benefit of businesses, institutions and every citizen, without distinction. Electronic communications are the right of every citizen of our country. They are also business opportunities for our companies and proven private investors coming from our friendly countries.
And this week, as we are only on its third day, there was another important development for culture and film and for our diplomatic service. On Monday, the agreement for cinematographic co-production between Kosovo and Bulgaria was signed, which creates new opportunities for our film productions, artists and filmmakers. And yesterday, we inaugurated the new building of our Consulate in Strasbourg, which is now the property of the state and the permanent home of our Republic. So we are proceeding with the acquisition of our embassy facilities in key countries for our diplomatic service. After the purchase of the embassy facilities in the USA, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Senegal and now in Strasbourg, France, the facilities of the Kosovo embassies in Italy, Turkey, France, Germany and Canada are in the process of being purchased.
Thank you!
Last modified: October 24, 2024