Prishtina, 29 April, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the meeting at the end of the mandate of the advisors of the Interministerial Water Council. The achievements and challenges that remained to be addressed were discussed there. Prime Minister Kurti emphasized the need and importance of sustainable management of water resources.
“Upon assuming office, we immediately began to turn our proposals into action. Our commitment to improving the water sector framework was evident when we supported the continuation of the Inter-Ministerial Water Council on March 4, 2020. This initiative took on further importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the critical role of water management in public health and safety. ”, said Prime Minister Kurti, emphasizing that every step we have taken is closely aligned with those initial discussions, ensuring that our path remains true to the vision we set out before taking office.
In front of those present, he mentioned the actions taken in several areas, saying that we are on the verge of finalizing a transformative law for the management of water resources; robust monitoring and infrastructure improvement; steps taken in strategic planning.
“We are now actively approving River Basin Management Plans for the Drini e Bardhë supported by Swedish SIDA, and for the other three basins – Ibër, Lepenc and Morava e Binça supported by the Swiss Office for Cooperation. In addition, we have developed a concise and actionable water strategy for the period 2023-2027, ensuring that our water management complies with state needs and international standards,” he added.
Regarding the development of dams, the prime minister said that significant progress includes the Kamenica and Firaja dams. The latter is essential in providing water for Southeast Kosovo, including the regions of Gjilan, Ferizaj, but also Pristina.
“Feasibility studies have also been completed for the dams of Pollata, Dragaqina and Kuqica, and today, in a parallel event, the project of drafting the Master Plan of Dams for Kosovo is starting, which will provide a comprehensive plan for future development of water resources”, emphasized the prime minister.
Further, the prime minister said that he is happy that we are also supporting the development of new human resources in the water sector, demonstrated by the opening of the sector to young professionals and the launch of a master’s program in integrated management of water resources from October 2023. , with the support of the Swiss Government again.
He expressed his deep gratitude to the Swiss government and other international partners, whose support has been indispensable. “The achievements we celebrate today are a testament to our joint efforts over the past two and a half decades. I especially thank our delegate advisors, whose expertise and tireless efforts have been essential to our progress. Their contributions are invaluable and we are deeply grateful for their dedication”, said Prime Minister Kurti.
After Prime Minister Kurti’s speech, the advisors of the Interministerial Water Council presented the state of the sector, the challenges and proposals to continue with the presentation by the participating ministers, about the reforms for the development of the water sector.
Ministers Artane Rizvanolli and Liburn Aliu, deputy ministers Getoar Mjeku and Agon Dobruna, representatives from the Swiss Office for Cooperation, as well as representatives of regional water companies were also present at this table.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Ms. Artane Rizvanolli, Minister of Economy,
The honorable Mr. Liburn Aliu, Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure,
Honorable Laurent Torche, Deputy Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office,
Dear Deputy Ministers, Getoar Mjeku, in the Ministry of Economy and Agon Dobruna in the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers,
The honorable Mr. Afrim Lajçi, advisor for water regulatory issues,
The honorable Mr. Baton Begolli, advisor for water policies,
Dear members of the boards and chief executives of the regional water companies,
Dear attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
I address you today with pleasure regarding our stewardship of the water sector – a vital asset for the sustainability and prosperity of our people and our state.
Even during our time in opposition, we understood the critical need for sustainable management of water resources. This was illustrated at the discussion table, 5 years ago, on March 27, 2019, where we gathered with all our shareholders to discuss this urgent issue. The insights gained from that event significantly shaped our policy direction. This occasion marked our first official interaction with the advisors of the Inter-ministerial Water Council, starting what would become a long-term and fruitful collaboration, deeply influencing our water management policies.
Upon taking office, we immediately began to turn our proposals into action. Our commitment to improving the water sector framework was evident when we supported the continuation of the Inter-Ministerial Water Council on March 4, 2020. This initiative took on further importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the critical role of water management in public health and safety.
Our partnership with the Swiss Government was strengthened through the memorandum of cooperation signed on May 11, 2021, which became the cornerstone of our efforts to improve water governance. This cooperation has been useful in advancing our initiatives, especially in the field of law enforcement and institutional strengthening.
Demonstrating unwavering consistency between our commitments made during opposition and our actions in government, we have systematically addressed each of the key recommendations presented at that roundtable in 2019. These discussions not only shaped our policy agenda, but they have also been faithfully reflected in our governance.
Every step we’ve taken aligns closely with those initial discussions, ensuring our path remains true to the vision we laid out before taking office. So much thought and discussion before action.
In our pursuit of sustainable and effective water resource management, we have taken decisive action in several areas. We started by advocating for increased water law enforcement; now, we are on the verge of finalizing a transformative law for the management of water resources. At the same time, we recognized the need to strengthen our institutional capabilities, and for this purpose, we revised the law on public servants, accelerating the recruitment processes, in the following days, to strengthen water resources institutions and to increase inspection capabilities in the following days.
We are committed to robust monitoring and infrastructure improvements. The implementation of groundwater monitoring and the equipment of the Hydrometeorological Institute were realized through a loan from the World Bank and projects co-financed by Switzerland and the Government.
We have also made significant strides in strategic planning. We are now actively approving River Basin Management Plans for the Drini e Bardhë, supported by the Swedish SIDA and for the other three basins – Ibër, Lepenc and Morava e Binça, supported by the Swiss Office for Cooperation. In addition, we have developed a concise and actionable water strategy for the period 2023-2027, ensuring that our water management complies with state needs and international standards.
Regarding the development of dams, significant progress includes the Kamenica and Firaja dams, the latter is essential in providing water for South-Eastern Kosovo, thus including the regions of Gjilan and Ferizaj, but also Pristina. Feasibility studies have also been completed for the dams of Pollata, Dragaqina and Kuqica, and today, in a parallel event to ours, the project of drafting the Master Plan of Dams for Kosovo is starting, which will provide a comprehensive plan for the development future of water resources.
On this matter, I want to emphasize one distinction: our approach to infrastructural development marks a significant change from previous governments. The designation of the Firaja dam area as an area of national interest prevented the potential misuse and cost overruns that plagued previous projects. This proactive measure has set a new standard for transparency and efficiency in national infrastructure projects.
Further illustrating our proactive and preventive planning, we are finalizing flood hazard and hazard maps, as well as flood risk management plans, along with the initiation of flood defense projects.
I am happy that we are also supporting the development of new human resources in the water sector, demonstrated by the opening of the sector to young professionals and the launch of a master’s program in integrated management of water resources from October 2023, with the support of the Swiss Government again. This program has welcomed its first cohort of 20 students, including two from non-majority communities, fostering the next generation of water professionals and ensuring diversity and inclusion at the same time.
On this occasion, let me express my deepest gratitude to the Swiss government and other international partners, whose support has been indispensable. The achievements we celebrate today are a testament to our joint efforts over the past two and a half decades. I especially thank our delegate advisors, whose expertise and tireless efforts have been essential to our progress. Their contributions are invaluable and we are deeply grateful for their dedication.
In the following, we are strengthening the regulation of concessions for the commercial use of water resources, which everyone must understand to be state property. Stricter guidelines will ensure that hydro plants and bottlers operate responsibly. Our goal is to ensure that these resources are used legally and beneficially, balancing public and private interests.
So, we want to prove that it is possible to be both useful and legal, to have both justice and utility. As we move forward, I reaffirm the government’s commitment to fulfilling the legacy of our collective efforts, which we began with the Inter-Ministerial Water Council. This is not an end, but a transformation towards an even more impactful collaboration.
Thank you for your trust, partnership, cooperation and commitment to ensure a sustainable water future for Kosovo.
Last modified: April 30, 2024