Pristina, December 28, 2022
Dear Government Cabinet,
Dear citizens of the Republic,
Today, at the next 116th meeting, we celebrate the second calendar year of our government. With a total of 578 approved decisions, including those of today’s meeting. So, compared to last year, we are 19 percent higher. Among them, 71 approved draft laws, 70 appointments, 23 concept documents, 13 administrative instructions, 9 draft regulations and 6 legislative initiatives.
It has been a year of challenges, but also of achievements, growth and all-round development.
Kosovo’s turn towards the development of progress has already been confirmed by the independent measurements of international reports.
The budget, which we approved at over 3.2 billion euros, is the highest budget ever, with an increase of 16.84 percent over the base budget and 10.8 percent over the revised budget.
This year, Kosovo rose to 17 places in Transparency International for the fight against corruption. So, Kosovo has begun to be freed from corruption, to be freed not only from corruption as misuse of public money for private benefits, but the image of our state has also begun to improve.
At the same time, at a time when most democracies have suffered declines and setbacks in media freedom, limiting freedom of expression, Kosovo has improved. This year we rose 17 places in freedom of expression in the World Press Freedom Index.
During this year, we were ranked first in the region for the second time for improvement in the rule of law in the World Justice Project, and even this year we are even second in the world in terms of improvement in the rule of law.
Our commitment to facilitating services for citizens has made us move from group C to group B in the World Bank index for the focus on digital governance.
After a long, unnecessary and harmful pause, we have strongly turned Kosovo towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
On March 9, we established the working group for membership in NATO.
On May 12, we officially submitted the Application of the Republic of Kosovo for membership in the Council of Europe.
On December 14, we signed and on December 15 we submitted Kosovo’s application for membership in the European Union.
These three important supranational and intergovernmental security, democracy and prosperity organizations are our strategic goal and orientation.
This year, the Country Report for Kosovo has been evaluated as one of the best reports with significant development. Also, this year, for the first time since 2012, there is no more talk about negative phenomena of appointments or political interference in recruitment.
With all these positive developments came the long-awaited, and obviously delayed, response from the European Union for the lifting of visa restrictions for Kosovo with effect from January 1, 2024. So, this year was a year of achievements, development and all-round improvement. But it was also a year of challenges.
Thanks to mass vaccination and the cooperation of citizens, the COVID-19 pandemic has been successfully managed, but the virus and the danger from it still remain active. Our care and concern must be increased. In addition to the challenge of the pandemic, which greatly affected the economy, this year we also had the energy crisis, which became extremely difficult after the aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine.
Kosovo has strongly aligned itself against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and is in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
In line with the policy of the European Union, we have approved the sanctions packages against the Russian Federation. We have housed Ukrainian journalists, 12 of whom are already residents of our capital. We have also offered shelter to up to 5,000 Ukrainian refugees, and we have also sheltered 1,893 Afghan refugees.
The impact of the war in Ukraine has affected not only the energy sector, but in a chain effect it has also brought a high rate of inflation, where we have price increases in almost every product.
Having a mainly import economy, together with the products we have also imported the prices.
Among the most serious events that should be noted for this year, were the murders and violence against women. An ugly phenomenon, which has pointed out the lack of emancipation of men, as well as the lack of justice in the prevention of violence and murders through meritorious punishments. Empowering women is a priority in every policy of our government, starting from education to employment and independence.
For equality and increased well-being, support measures for citizens have been expanded, where over 100 million euros have been allocated for this purpose.
It has been achieved that nearly 30 thousand mothers and over 275 thousand children will benefit from the Scheme for allowances for mothers and children.
Through the Economic Recovery Package, local producers have been supported, such as: Subsidizing loans, 160 beneficiary businesses, which have been subsidized with over 3.3 million euros and Export Support with 85 beneficiaries in the amount of subsidies of nearly 600 thousand euros.
Support package of 100 million euros in April: These measures include the doubling of social assistance, an additional 100 euros for all pensioners for the month of April, an additional 100 euros for approximately 300,000 private sector workers, an additional 100 euros for 80,000 public sector workers, 100 euros for 80,000 students, 40 thousand food packages for families in need. This one-time support has affected about 800 thousand citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, or almost every family in the country.
The Package for Dealing with Inflation of 150 million in the month of September, as a result of global inflation, the Government has committed to the allocation of another 150 million within the Package for Dealing with Inflation, that is, in addition to the Package for Economic Recovery, so that the support to citizens to continue. These measures include subsidizing the electricity bill for those who save energy; the doubling of social assistance for the month of September; 100 additional euros for all pensioners; 100 euros one-time support for workers of public enterprises; 50 additional euros from September for 80,000 public sector workers; 100 euros for 80 thousand students, subsidy of 50% of the salary increase for private sector workers for 3 months.
This year, we have negotiated 21 financial agreements worth approximately 350 million, of which approximately 140 million are grants and approximately 20 million euros are co-financing.
In the framework of the investigations and analyzes for illegal financing and money laundering, suspicious transactions were detected, which later resulted in the freezing of over 5 million euros, which are suspected to be related to money laundering and related criminal offences.
The Tax Administration of Kosovo has managed to collect tax revenues of 673.6 million euros during the period January-November 2022. This level of income is about 121.1 million euros more compared to the period January-November 2021, respectively 21.9% more. The realization of revenues of 673.6 million euros is considered to have exceeded the plan by 15.5 million euros or 2.6%.
During this period, Kosovo Customs managed to collect revenues worth 1 billion and 381.1 million euros. Compared to the previous year, there was an increase of 11.4%, or 141.2 million euros.
The value of goods exported this year has increased by 23%, from 650.94 million euros of exports last year, this year goods worth 801.22 million euros were exported.
Regarding the environment and transport, towards a green transport and towards a sustainable economy, this year we have started the return to the railways.
In order to increase the connection with Albania and to turn Kosovo into the center of trade in Western Balkans, we have taken the first steps towards the new Pristina-Durres railway and the dry port in Pristina.
Also this year, the works of the second phase for the rehabilitation of the 10th railway line Fushë Kosove – Mitrovica have started.
We have received more than 100 million euros in grants from the European Union and Germany for wastewater treatment and waste management.
As for energy, after a long time of lack of vision in this sector, which has cost us enormously in the past and in the present, stopping our development spurt, we finally have the new Energy Strategy 2022- 2031. This strategy takes Kosovo out of the black hole, providing stable energy in line with its economic growth and leads it towards the transition to renewable energy.
This year we had the return to green energy.
In July, we signed the Co-financing and Implementation Agreement of the “Millennium Challenge Cooperation” project in the energy sector in the total value of about 237 million dollars. This agreement enables better security of energy supply through batteries for the accumulation of electricity with a capacity of 170 megawatts.
In March, we inaugurated the Wind Park in Selac, an investment of 170 million euros with a capacity of 105 megawatts.
Also, in March we approved the “Solar Kosova” project with an investment of 64 million euros, which will create one of the largest solar power plants in Europe.
The serious energy crisis, which found our country with old and weak energy infrastructure, is being managed through government measures and the cooperation of citizens.
On the one hand, we are subsidizing and investing in the purchase of efficient energy equipment, which reduces consumption by 70%, and on the other hand, we are subsidizing energy saving by citizens. Only in the month of November we had 15% energy saving in the household.
At the same time, we also invested in energy efficiency in public buildings in 7 municipalities, where about 4 million euros were invested and energy savings of about 11 million kilowatt hours per year were achieved.
Also, the environment for doing business has been significantly improved by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade. According to the Global Data Barometer, Kosovo is first in Southeast Europe for business data and public procurement.
This year, the number of inspections has increased by 50%, we have increased state reserves by 1500% or 16 times more, and the impact of fuel price increases on the economy, as well as on citizens’ pockets, has been managed through price regulation.
In agriculture, we are guided by the principle that a stable economy means increased local production. In order to increase local production in the agricultural sector, more than 70 million euros have been allocated to 28 thousand farmers, which is the largest ever government support for agriculture, and the export of agricultural and food products has increased by 44%.
In terms of security and the rule of law, we have adopted the Security Strategy, where the main goals, among others, are the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity, public security, the protection of the constitutional order and the country’s membership in the Euro-Atlantic security organizations.
After a long process of coordination to ensure social and political consensus within the country and cooperation with partners and international institutions, we have finally clarified and paved the way for the development of Veting in the justice system, the bearer of which will be the Assembly of the Republic.
A number of laws have been processed in the Assembly for the improvement of the rule of law, including the law on the Prosecutorial Council, on the State Prosecutor and on the Special Prosecutor’s Office, on the Bureau for verification and confiscation of unjustified assets, on the Commercial Court and the one for the establishment of the institute for documenting the crimes committed during the war in Kosovo.
With a budget of €102.3 million, the highest ever for the Ministry of Defense, we have focused on achieving three main objectives; legislative changes, raising the professional and operational capacities of the Kosovo Security Force, as well as international cooperation.
The Ministry of Defense has signed important international agreements with the United Kingdom, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Croatia.
820 young soldiers and 30 cadets were recruited during one year. We are currently in the process of recruiting 612 active soldiers and 388 other members of the reserve component.
Our goal is NATO membership, so our soldiers regularly participate in exercises alongside the armies of partner countries.
At the Ministry of Internal Affairs, we have continued with the implementation of legality throughout the territory, including the north of the country.
The elections and referendum of Serbia, which were held contrary to the Constitution and laws of our country and international practices, were not allowed in Kosovo.
16 illegal roads have been closed, the road infrastructure has been improved and regular water patrols have begun in Lake Ujman.
850 operations against organized crime and smuggling have been carried out throughout the country. These operations have undoubtedly disrupted the comfort of criminals, especially in the north of the country for whom the absence of the rule of law was freedom. There are 3051 arrested, of which 288 are public officials. 69 criminal groups were destroyed and more than 1.9 tons of narcotic substances were confiscated.
Road infrastructure and working conditions for police officers in the north of the country have been improved. 4 buildings and police stations have been built and the cable network has been laid there.
As for the situation in the municipalities in the north of Kosovo, the actions and legal decisions of the government and institutions of Kosovo have been opposed by criminals, challenging the law enforcement bodies but also undermining the security of the country.
Unfortunately, these criminals, sanctioned by the United States of America and Great Britain, are being supported by the President and Government of Serbia with the aim of destabilizing the region, in addition to violating the territorial integrity of our Republic.
Kosovo institutions will not talk and cooperate with criminals, but will arrest them.
Legitimate representatives from the Serbian community emerge through free and fair elections, while the rights of citizens originate from the constitution of the Republic.
Placing barricades on the road is illegal, unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
In accordance with security assessments, we have given the necessary time and space to KFOR to act, but this time is certainly running out fast.
We have cooperation and coordination with KFOR, that is why this necessary time and space has been given to KFOR, and in this case one thing must be understood, that the principle of free movement and the barricades on the road, which prevent free movement, cannot stand.
A process, with which we have engaged a lot this year, is digitization, digitized services have been advanced. The Information Society Agency (ASHI) through the eKosova Platform, which is the central platform for the provision of digitized services, has so far managed to provide over 130 electronic services to citizens, businesses and NGOs.
We have taken special care of equal development. Equal access to education and health is a prerequisite for a more equal society.
In health, the supply of medicines has been improved this year. The percentage of the supply of drugs from the Essential List of Drugs is about 70%, and that of consumables is about 90%, while the supply of insulin is already at 100%.
Health continues to remain among the challenging sectors, as it is the most ruined and mismanaged sector in these two decades, which we left behind.
But, the problems will be addressed. The quality health system, efficient and with equal access, will be built.
Meanwhile, in education, we have approved the new Strategy of 2022-2026 with the aim of quality and comprehensive education, which develops the potential and competencies of individuals and encourages lifelong learning.
Nearly 43,000 students have been exempted from payment; over 1,968 scholarships have been awarded to distinguished students for studies in the country and abroad; 106 scholarships to encourage girls and boys for deficit profiles; nearly 2,000 STEM field scholarships; 300,000 Euro scholarships for students from Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities; 300,000 euros for learning centers for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children; as well as 350,000 euros for work with gifted children and children with special needs.
The National Primer has been unified in cooperation with the Republic of Albania and from September the piloting of dual education for 4 profiles and 5 professional schools in 3 municipalities has started.
In the field of culture, youth and sports, 8 sports, culture and youth infrastructure buildings have been completed, 17 others are under construction.
Support for the independent scene has been doubled and the grant scheme for the arts and cultural heritage community has been reformed.
The register of cultural heritage at risk has been created and the fund for emergency interventions in the field of cultural heritage has been doubled. 65 monuments have been saved thanks to emergency interventions and restorations.
This year will also be remembered as the year of the Manifesto in the visual arts and Traviata in the opera, and of the many world successes of Kosovo’s artists and athletes.
And yet, despite these achievements, everyone must measure these results in his and her work, not with the progress made compared to past governments, but with the potential we have ahead of us.
That we already have a government without corruption, that does not misuse or waste public money, that is clear. This new standard and this is the minimum that the citizens deserve, who voted massively for change.
But it is also clear that, when we don’t have corruption, we have even more democracy, we have even more growth. Also, that we are the first in the region in democracy and development indices, this has also become clear. But, again, there is no room for complacency. We are in competition with ourselves and we have to compare the coming year with the year we are leaving behind. Because I am convinced that our potential is greater than the actuality we have.
And the unused potential is the opportunity cost, which we pay. Many have hindered us and many have delayed us. Therefore, despite this, we must work much, much harder, because we need big steps to catch up with the lost time, since Kosovo was liberated, since Kosovo became independent.
This is the only way we narrow the gap between the potential we have and the benefits we enjoy. Everyone should be up to the task that the citizens expect and we should never forget that the important position is the position that the citizens have given us, not ourselves. The titles we hold, such as prime minister, deputy prime minister, minister, deputy minister, are much more important than the personal names that each of us has.
Thank you.
Last modified: December 30, 2022