Prishtina, May 8, 2013
Chaired by Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo held its regular the 129th meeting.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi has informed the Cabinet that the negotiation process for the implementation agreement for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is continuing in Brussels.
“The Kosovo side has presented its constitutional and legal position, which is compliant and fully consistent with the commitments of the European Union. We presented our positions regarding time periods and implementing actors, which must be the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, EULEX, NATO, obviously to be facilitated by the other signatory party, Serbia “- said the Prime Minister.
“We want to believe that this process will move quickly, because time is passing, and I believe that Serbia should be aware of this” stated the Prime Minister, who added that “according to the new circumstances that will be created, other high-level political meetings are possible , in order to start the implementation as soon as possible, to change things on the ground and, at the same time, mobilizing the public opinion and creating conditions and circumstances for rule of law and order, democracy, political pluralism, free elections, and for the functioning of all Kosovo institutions throughout the country. “
Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi has expressed gratitude to the European Union, United States, NATO and all international actors for fully supporting this process.
At today’s meeting of the Government, the Prime Minister also focused on the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to fight against organized crime and other negative phenomena.
“The Government of the Republic of Kosovo considers the fight against organized crime and corruption to be an essential priority. We are very aware that the battle to defeat evil is not easy and demands great commitment and sacrifice. But we are determined, and are uncompromising in the fight against organized crime, because we are convinced that only by winning this challenge, we will provide a secure future for our country, a secure European future for Kosovo “- said Mr. Thaçi.
In this context, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, on behalf of the citizens of Kosovo, Prime Minister Thaçi expressed the highest gratitude to all the top members of the security structures of the Republic of Kosovo, who expertly have arrested and put behind bars one of the bosses of organized crime and major drugs smuggler in the Balkans.
“As you are aware, the detainee is in the US blacklist for drug trafficking. Moreover, the White House has sanctioned the citizen from Kosovo for drug trafficking. Also, this network according to the Treasury Department, allegedly led one of the most powerful criminal networks in the Balkans. For quite some time now he and his network are suspected of running a large organization that deals with trafficking of heroin, cocaine and other things. The discovery and arrest of the network happened thanks to maximum commitment and utterly tireless work of the security agencies of the Republic of Kosovo ” stated the Prime Minister Thaçi.
“I am more than certain that this powerful blow that the Republic of Kosovo institutions have delivered against organized crime elements will be an additional motive to strengthen and intensify the fight against all types of crime in Kosovo, but also in the region. Space for maneuvering for all individuals and networks that are involved in organized crime is increasingly diminishing in Kosovo. The new state of Kosovo is gradually becoming an example in the region in the fight against organized crime and other negative phenomena “- said the Prime Minister.
In this case, the Prime Minister also thanked the EULEX mission for their cooperation with Kosovo institutions after the arrest of the network.
“You know that Kosovo, for known reasons, is not a member of Interpol and other regional and European institutions that are involved in the fight against organized crime. Thus, I want to emphasize that this is a major handicap. I believe that unnecessary delays to Kosovo’s membership in these organizations should ultimately be eliminated. The fight against organized crime must remain a priority of all countries in the region, and success can only be guaranteed if there is adequate coordination and cooperation”- underlined the Prime Minister, who added that “in this regard Kosovo will be set an example of cooperation. I believe in the near future, Kosovo will become a member with equal rights of all regional, European and international organizations which are established to combat organized crime.”
“Therefore, the last case of arrest of this dangerous network, followed by complicated procedures that Kosovo faces as a state, because of non-recognition by Bosnia and Herzegovina, reveal the necessity to move quickly towards international structures, so that the state of Kosovo may join all necessary organizations in the fight against organized crime, trafficking, and other negative phenomena,” concluded his speech the Prime Minister Thaçi.
At today’s meeting of the Government, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry, Mimoza Kusari Lila informed the cabinet about the process update of the Development Project of the Brezovica Tourist Center.
The companies, respectively consortia that applied for expression of interest and are officially recognized are:
1. Investment and Design Workshop ATC, Austrian-American consortium
2. MK Group, a company from Serbia
3. Rila Ski Resort, Eco Sign Europe, Balkans GCE, Bulgarian-Austrian consortium
4. Civitel Hotels & Resorts, Greek company
5. PGI Management & Consulting MDP, French-Andorra-Kosovo consortium
The professional commission for the assessment of the bids decided that four of them meet the criteria to qualify further, by removing from the list Civitel Hotels & Resorts, the Greek company.
“Today, on May 8, 2013, the inter-ministerial Steering Committee agreed with the assessment of professional committee, and the decision was made to proceed with the project,” said Kusari-Lila.
The Minister of Economic Development, Besim Beqaj, informed the Cabinet that last week, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development approved the Strategy of Cooperation with the Republic of Kosovo.
“This year, this strategy includes four basic areas, which will be supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. These are: the field of energy, with engagements in New Kosovo Power Plant, but also in alternative energy; utilities at municipal levels, referring to water supply services and projects that have already been delivered; local-level rural infrastructure, which should happen within this period; and the private sector, with direct commitments for development,” said Beqaj, adding that this strategy predicts funding of around €150 million within this year.
Today, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo has also approved the decision to establish a new municipality, at the request of residents of Has.
“I inform you that the basic principles for the creation of new municipalities, in this case the Municipality of Has, have been fulfilled in accordance with the Law on Local Self-Government, and it meets all the basic principles. It is a compact territory, and half of the settlements today are in the territory of the municipality of Prizren, the other half in Gjakova. There are a total of 41 villages and 42 thousand inhabitants,” said Basri Musmurati, deputy Minister for Administration of Local Government.
Upon the proposal of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, at today’s meeting the Government issued a decision to supply wheat according to the needs of the State Commodity Reserves, which will be conducted through public bidding.
Supply of wheat, which must be produced in 2013, according to recognized international standards, should be performed under the Annual Program 2013-2015 for the planned amount for 2013, approved by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.
Regarding further needs of the State Commodity Reserves, a decision was made regarding diesel supplies, the quality of which is provided for in the Administrative Guidelines No 07/2012 on the Quality of Liquid Petroleum Hydrocarbons.
In addition, a decision was issued to supply the State Commodity Reserve with agri-food products, such as oil, sugar, canned meat and fish, kitchen salt, jam, rice, and pasta.
Agri-food products must be first class, with long shelf life.
The Government also approved a proposal to change the regime ruling the entry of foreign nationals of the EU in Kosovo. With this decision, citizens of EU countries are allowed to enter, transit, temporary stay and departure from the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, having a valid identification document, common passport, diplomatic passport, official passport, and ID.
At this meeting, it was decided to amend the decision of the Government, no. 05/117 of 27 February 2013 for “Indicators of justice for children”. The second point of the decision is replaced with the following text: “The responsible and mandated institutions involved in the process are obliged to implement, cooperate and provide assistance within the legislative competence, when required by the Council/OGG of the OPM to fulfill the obligations stemming from “Indicators of justice for children”.
Last modified: July 31, 2022