Pristina, 16 December 2015
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, led by Prime Minister Mustafa, held on Wednesday its 64th meeting, whereby adopted several draft laws and took other important decisions.
Initially, was approved a statement of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo on the occasion of publication of the conclusions of the General Affairs Council of the European Union for enlargement.
On this issue, Prime Minister Mustafa, said it has been worked hard since September onwards with all institutions of the Republic of Kosovo to meet the latest recommendations, which have remained on visa liberalization, explaining that they have were only recommendations and not criteria.
“We have cooperated with the Ministry of European Integration, Ministry of Interior, the State Prosecutor, the Kosovo Judicial Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Regulatory Commission on Public Procurement, in order to “satisfy all, and all we have achieved. Issues of perception for certain and other areas remain issues which we cannot measure the parameters and say that they are met or not met, because it is a question of perception, but as recommendations we have fulfilled all and we appreciate that there is no reason the European Union not to provide with recommendations regarding visa liberalization. Technical issues are met. The decision is a political decision.
It is the political will of the European Union that should express towards Kosovo, as expressed to the other countries in the Western Balkans, to move without visas to European Union countries. We have signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement. It is an important agreement for us, open a European perspective, but which does not have value, and has no meaning if our economy remains insulated economy, and if our citizens remain isolated citizens. There will be no trade cooperation and economic cooperation in the European Union if our businesses are isolated businesses, and if our citizens are isolated citizens. It remains only a paper document, which does not have any real value in its implementation and realization. We also are associated with many processes of Euro-Atlantic cooperation for which said Deputy Prime Minister Thaci, for which we need the trust of our citizens, and convincing our citizens that the European Union has a positive attitude towards them, and wants them be part of the European Union, and we do not see any reason for the European Union not willing the people of Kosovo to be equal with other citizens movement. If anyone can argue Kosovo by the European Union that we have something to distinguish it from other citizens of the Western Balkans, and that we should be differentiated from them, then must tell us, but such evaluation I’m sure no none in this European democracy can do it and in this real European democratic values against our citizens.
Today, I had a conversation with a representative of the European Union, Mr. Zbogar. I was announced that the document which was given yesterday is not a document that assesses the visa liberalization issues. It is a document that is associated with the expansion, and the assessment regarding the fulfilment of conditions for liberalization will be given soon, in the following days. Also, I have expressed our concerns regarding the delay in this process and demand for the right assessment by the European Union, the right to take a political decision regarding the visa liberalization. We can live without liberalization, but will live much worse than other people live, because we will be deprived of a fundamental right. If the European Union is committed to the free movement of citizens here, we also have done everything that to assure our citizens free movement, then why the European Union prevents free movement of the citizens of Kosovo in the European Union. We do not see democracy as a democracy of double standards. Standards should be the same both at the level of a country, and at the level of the continent where we live. And I invite you to support the statement of the Government, which is related to this and also I invite you together as a government to appeal to the European Union, in order to be fair to the process for which we have worked long, we have fulfilled our obligations and rightly expect in the next year to move without visas to European Union countries, “said Prime Minister Isa Mustafa.
First Deputy Prime Minister, also the Foreign Minister, Hashim Thaci, thus supporting the entire statement of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, has expressed some opinions outside the framework of the statement that was discussed earlier in the cabinet, the Prime Minister, and the whole team who worked with determination in the implementation of all standards and criteria for signing the SAA, considering it a tremendous success for Kosovo. “Obviously it would be vital for Kosovo this agreement to enter into force as soon as possible and begin implementing. It is an unnecessary delay which is taking place, but has been extremely great success for 2015. Now, Kosovo has fully implemented all the criteria for recommendation for visa liberalization. Therefore, of course taking into account the new circumstances created in Kosovo, considering the full implementation of all requirements and standards required by the European Union in relation to Kosovo, I can say that sometimes were required redundant standards for Kosovo comparing to all other countries in the region at this stage of the process of signing the SAA and the recommendation for visa liberalization. A great credit should be given to the Government of Kosovo, all Ministries, various Departments of the Kosovo Assembly, the Presidency, all the institutional structures of our country. Kosovo has performed with the highest responsibility and this year all the responsibilities that it has taken the international community. Even more faster and better than the international community has expected. This, too, is an extremely important step for the European future of Kosovo. On the other hand, in this spirit we kept the mood, optimism, hope and trust of the citizens of Kosovo, I can say with the highest percentage of all countries in the region, pro-EU and NATO, because it is the only way, only purpose, and our vision. And there are no citizens in the region who are more pro-EU than Kovoar citizens. Not only out of necessity, but also by the embodiment of the values of European civilization and that we are Europeans. But all this should not just be platonic relationship between citizens and the institutions of Kosovo and Brussels. Therefore, I re-emphasize today, by fully supporting the statement, this uncertainty these days in Brussels, is an absurd delay in relation to the recommendation for visa liberalization. I am aware that this will happen either late this year or in the first weeks of next year, but it is completely unfair that hesitation on Kosovo. I must emphasize that this delay at the same time is presenting the various dangers for Kosovo. Firstly, promoting radicalism and religious elements to exploit the European delay on Kosovo, it encourages and exploited by political extremism, with ideas but also with projects that are not in line with Euro-Atlantic values of Kosovo. At the same time, it encourages and is threatening new migration of the citizens of Kosovo to the European countries. Then again Kosovo is paying the price. We have achieved great success at the beginning of the year when the illegal migration of citizens happened, with our fair campaign information anywhere, to stop this process and to start returning the citizens of Kosovo. And today, the success of Kosovo used as a great argument also in the process of visa liberalization. At the same time, this unfair delay of the European Union in relation to Kosovo, is in danger and delays the processes important for good neighbourly relations between Kosovo and the region, in particular in the full normalization of relations with Serbia, for the implementation of all those agreements reached in Brussels and the continuation of this process. On the one hand dialogue is required, and on the other hand, apart from the members of that delegation, the citizens of that country are deprived of the right to move to Europe. It is not enough that only the holder of the institutions has a visa in their passports when there is no student, no workshops, no businessman, no ordinary citizen. This is the call of the Government of Kosovo that should make European conscience in Brussels in relation to citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, compared with younger Europeans. Therefore, I would like to emphasize that we are facing these days with mixed reactions. I am one of the people who mostly have advocated for these processes in the past seven years as Prime Minister, and now as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and the full support of the agenda that we and the Prime Minister have, and the Government of Kosovo, and institutions.
But at the same time, this hope in Brussels in relation with Kosovo should not be dry hope, but should be a substantive decision that directly relates to the interests of the citizens of Kosovo. Otherwise, every citizen of Kosovo can knock on the regional capitals for dual visa and passport. Any Serb can knock in Belgrade. Any Albanian can knock in Skopje, can knock in Tirana, with the full right, under the constitutional right to dual citizenship.
And then who is left without visas in Kosovo? A small group of people. This feedback will also promote various political agendas that could hurt the political and civic consensus for the European future of Kosovo. This could pose consequences for security and stability. Again, the price we pay for, the fault remains to us. But this time is not our fault. In general, and with the highest responsibility we say that we have implemented all the requirements one by one. Sometimes even doubled with sub criteria and the requirements which later enter in the process of visa liberalization. And all this commitment for 15 years, we have made together with the international community, 7 years with the UN. All legislation is made under the criteria and highest standards of the European Union. No law shall pass in the Assembly without consultation and without approval of the European office in Kosovo. Even their implementation. And again delay. I think again we need to ask for conscience of that leadership in Brussels, to assess realistically the achievements of Kosovo, but also take firm decision, as it takes a firm decision, very firm decision for Ukraine, and for Colombia, the East Timor. Of course we are very likely to support the expansion of European values and the communication of the citizens of the entire globe with the international community, and we are part of this family, not by necessity, but by the values, standards and prospects that we have, and again I stress that the European Union should cease this vocabulary: simply, Kosovo should be optimistic. There is light at the end of tunnel. We are not blind, we see it. And of course we should be respected as we are, with a maximum tolerance and political example, the multi-ethnic, and religious. We are champion country in the region are against religious extremism, terrorism and internationally assessed. We are the only ones who have the full support of the justice system and international experience in the justice system. With the highest responsibility we say we have the most modern and most professional police in the region. Therefore, rightly today every citizen of Kosovo, if there is no recommendation for visa liberalization should not feel disappointed, but insulting. And rightly whole political scene, citizens, civil society and the media can protest this time in front of the Office of the European Union, two million citizens of Kosovo for the injustice and discrimination of the European Union in relation to visa liberalization for Kosovo. Of course peaceful protest, “said Deputy Prime MinisterThaçi.
Government of Kosovo today approved the Draft Law on Bankruptcy. The objective of this draft law is to create the proper legal basis for the field of bankruptcy.
Draft Law on Electricity and Energy Regulator were also approved by the cabinet. These two draft laws represent the third package of laws on energy. Draft Law on Electricity aims to determine rules and measures for the functioning of the electricity sector to ensure safe supply, regular and quality electricity, with real prices, considering the environmental conservation and its efficient use. Whereas, the Draft Law on Energy Regulator aims to define the powers and functions of the Energy Regulatory Office, including conditions for issuing licenses for carrying out activities in the field of energy.
The government adopted the Draft Law on ratification of the financing agreement between the Republic of Kosovo and the International Development Association for the implementation of the Project for the Improvement of Education System. The above mentioned loan is worth 11 million dollars.
The project is organized into three components: 1) to improve strategic planning, management, financing, monitoring and decision making, 2) the strengthening of management capacity and accountability to improving the quality of education, and 3) support for implementation of the project and communication.
The government cabinet adopted the National Programme for the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, which is one of the basic obligations that derive from the SAA.
The government also adopted a regulation for amendment and supplementation of Regulation No. 02/2013 on criteria for the establishment local public enterprises and the participation of municipalities in the boards of directors of regional water enterprises, and Administrative Instruction for special measures registration of common property on behalf of both spouses.
During the review of the item regarding the decision to propose the Assembly of Kosovo the appointment of directors in the Board of the Privatization Agency of Kosovo, Prime Minister Mustafa said that this item should be reworded, since the Government has established and submitted to the Assembly proposal regarding the Board of the Privatization Agency of Kosovo. Prime Minister Mustafa stressed that it is not for a new proposal on the decision, but only to add that the Board shall have the power of decision, after the entry into force of the amendment and supplementation of the Law on PAK, and the government proposal shall be based on the Rules of Procedure of the Government of Kosovo.
The government has taken a decision on the approval of the Initiative for negotiation of Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, in 2014 and 2015. The agreements are in the form of grants, and for 2014 reaches the amount of 7:59 million euro, while in 2015 the amount of 12.5 million euros.
The proposed decision on approval of the Initiative for negotiation of the agreement removal of Wastewater in South-West Kosovo, phase IV, in the municipality of Peja, between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the Government of the Swiss Confederation, represented by the Federal Economic Affairs, Education and Research department is adopted.
The main goal of this project is the collection and treatment of wastewater in the municipality of Peja, which directly impacts on improving the lives of citizens in the municipality, and the protection of water surface sources and groundwater.
The government adopted a decision on applying of the calendar of excise duty on tobacco, according to which the excise tax increase will be gradual, in accordance with the EU directive.
Government Cabinet approved a decision to save, harmonization and allocation of funds in accordance with Article 13 of the Law on Budget of the Republic of Kosovo in 2015.
Also, the decision on approval of the transfer of funds from the Ministry of Finance to compensate veterans for regulation of prosthetic and recovery of War Invalids of the KLA, in the amount of 200 thousand euros.
Minister of European Integration informed the Cabinet about the results of the meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee for the assistance of the European Union (IPA), with the focus on the preconditions of the EU for the benefit of Kosovo by sectoral budget support.
Prime Minister Mustafa, during the meeting expressed the gratitude to the deputies of the Assembly of Kosovo for approval at the last meeting of the Budget for 2016, as a very important document which provides stability and macroeconomic budget. “Despite the fact that the session is held in very difficult conditions, we were commitment to the position of deputies of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo. In addition, several laws that are very important especially for the economic sphere and the sphere of strengthening the rule of law approved. The Law on Public Finance and Accountability which then enable the budget to increase next year with the loans which will take direct investments according to the agreement with the International Monetary Fund. The Law on Public Procurement which was a criterion of the European Union on visa liberalization but also as a criterion for reducing all possibilities of fraud in the public procurement process. The Law on Credit Guarantee Fund for Kosovo, which is also a very important law to promote small and medium enterprises, as part of the Development Fund, which also we have promised the businesses, and the citizens of Republic of Kosovo.
We made sure to fulfil also the social sphere, increase social assistance by 25 percent, as per the Government decided to increase pensions and contribution up to the 23 million, three pillars of those pensions.
I thank you, but also the Assembly for the hard work and we managed to push these issues on time and to ensure that government work normally, regard this base. And secondly, also, would like through the Government to express our highest consideration to Montenegro and Prime Minister Djukanovic for his assessment concerning border demarcation statement. Of course, we also believe that border demarcation is made under the administrative lines, according to the Constitution of 1974, but we have given our support to an international commission which will cooperate with the Government Commission and the opposition, to make evaluation procedures and border demarcation and in front of the opinion to clarify the demarcation of the border line. I just would like to add here that we also insist this is not to say that everything was done correctly or not.
We appreciate that the Government has approved a work which is done on a regular basis by the Commission, but we leave up to the Commission to assess this and we appreciate that the Commission has completed its work regarding the marking demarcation with Montenegro. However, I wish to emphasize here that the comprehensive proposal on the final status of Kosovo, which is part of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo is determined that the territory of Kosovo will be defined from the border line of the Socialist Autonomous Province of Kosovo within the Socialist Federal Republic Yugoslavia, same as it was the borderline on 31 December 1988, except changing the border line of the demarcation agreement between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 23 February 2001. This means that this is the criterion on which it is desired, and on which we can discuss and review any warning or any regularity of border demarcation with Montenegro. But, we appreciate the commitment to good neighborly relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Montenegro, and also have always left the possibility for any objection to be considered and any objection be submitted and presented to the Montenegro party “, said Prime Minister Isa Mustafa.
Minister of Economic Development, Blerand Stavileci announced the Cabinet on the progress of Project power plant “Kosova e Re”. He announced that on Tuesday has been received a guarantee statement by the American company “Contour Global”, warning that in the next 48 hours will be signed two agreements and will be the inauguration of a project, which will eventually transform the energy sector to Kosovo. “We will have the signing of the general principles of the American company today, while tomorrow we will sign the agreement for the exchange of energy with Albania and regulation of secondary reserve, also inaugurate the completion of the works of the Interconnection of Kosovo” Stavileci informed about important visits he has made recently in the world-renowned company in the US.