Mitrovica, 29 September 2026
Honourable Rector of the International Business College Mitrovica, Professor Mihone Kerolli Mustafa,
Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Mr Armend Muja,
Honourable Paweł Chmieliński, President of the European Rural Development Network,
Honourable Mr Alexandru Albu, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the European Union Office in Kosovo,
Honourable Mr Fejzullah Krasniqi, Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo,
Honourable Arjeta Fejza, Member of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo,
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished professors, researchers and friends from Europe and beyond,
Good morning and welcome to Kosovo. Welcome to Mitrovica,
Rural development is of particular importance to Kosovo. We have fertile land, natural resources, an agricultural tradition and human potential. But we also face challenges, from structural challenges to climate change. Therefore, our aim is not simply to support agriculture, but also to transform it.
A large part of our population lives in rural areas. Agriculture and livestock farming, food processing and small rural businesses constitute the basis of income and dignity for many families. This is precisely why our government is making strategic investments in agriculture and rural development, rather than treating them as a social cost.
In this regard, our focus is on supporting generational renewal, so that young farmers and entrepreneurs see their future in rural areas, and on supporting women in rural areas, who perform a large share of the work but very often do not have the representation and income they deserve.
We want to invest in water and irrigation, in soil health, as well as in processing and storage capacities, so that our farmers can add value to their products, instead of exporting unprocessed products and importing finished products.
We want to move from support based primarily on area and the number of livestock towards a system that promotes production, quality, productivity and competitiveness.
We want to build water reservoirs through five new dams across Kosovo, then protect agricultural land, strengthen local processing and create stronger links between farmers, industry and consumers.
Above all, we want to build a food system in which the safety of our consumers, fair competition in the market and trust in public institutions are non-negotiable.
Here, of course, in addition to political support from the Government, science and partnership between academia and public institutions are also essential. Our universities and our Academy of Sciences, in addition to being places of teaching, should also be centres of scientific research and public policy advice.
And we need researchers from Kosovo who are integrated into European networks such as the ERDN, where ideas, experiences and methods are exchanged across borders. Conferences such as this one turn scientific research into concrete recommendations, and recommendations into a better life for citizens in rural areas.
Distinguished participants,
An important lesson from recent years is that food security cannot rely solely on international markets. The pandemic, wars and disruptions in supply chains have shown us the importance of local production capacities. For this reason, local production is an economic and strategic priority. Nevertheless, rural development does not end at the farm. It begins with people. A sustainable village needs quality schools, but also healthcare services, infrastructure, digital connectivity and, of course, employment opportunities.
Distinguished guests,
Kosovo’s future is in the European Union, and this means choosing and committing to the values, institutions and standards according to which we want to live, including the food standards we put on our tables.
Therefore, the discussions at this conference on the next Multiannual Financial Framework for the 2028–2034 period are extremely important for us. The way the European Union designs its next budget and the way it supports candidate countries will affect the readiness of our farmers and institutions for many years to come.
For us, it is also important to learn from the experience of the Member States. Poland’s experience in adapting and modernizing its agriculture, as well as examples from Lithuania, Romania and the other countries that will be presented here, are important lessons for us, both in terms of what has worked well and what has not worked.
Dear friends,
The future of rural areas is determined by what we produce today, but also by the opportunities we create for future generations, those who come after us.
There will be no more developed Kosovo without more developed villages. There will be no stronger economy without more productive agriculture. And a more sustainable society naturally requires a safer food system.
Thank you for choosing Kosovo for this conference, and I wish you a successful conference!