Dear Ambassador of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Mr. Tomáš Szunyog,
Dear Media and Citizens,
Today we have received the country report for 2022 year. This is the first report which includes the entire one-year period of our government.
Regarding the past year, our country has made progress in many areas. Despite the global crises that has faced not only Kosovo, but the entire European continent, as consequences of the pandemic up to the crises such are energy and inflation.
The report, from the beginning greets Kosovo for its political stability and sustainability. Stability is a prerequisite for long-term reforms. Therefore, reforms have been undertaken as well in the present year which are EU recommendations for a long period of time and that were ignored by previous governments, such are:
Private customs terminals are not in accordance with the SAA and the gradual transition from private to public ones has been recommended since year 2018. Last year we have opened customs terminal in Mitrovica, whilst this year we have turned the customs terminal in Podujeva into a state one. Likewise, we will continue with the opening of the state customs terminal in Vërmica.
Regulation of Kosovo Assembly is adopted after 12 years.
Then, Law on Financing Political Parties had commenced in 2014, there were many hesitations in the past. We have adopted it this year.
The Law on Food that regulates food safety, quality and control was recommended in 2012.
In 2021 there were two waves of agency rationalization, the first involving four Agencies and the second two agencies. Rationalization of agencies has been recommended since 2016.
Law on Compulsory Oil Stocks was adopted since 2014 year, at the request of the Commission.
We are implementing the European Reforms Agenda II, as well we have approved and are implementing the National Programme for Implementation of the SAA 2022-2026.
Rule of law is amongst the common priorities that we have with the EU. We have already submitted to the Assembly the file on Vetting, which complies with the recommendations of the Venice Commission. This process aims to make the judiciary efficient and the prosecution active in combating crime and in administering the justice.
We have also adopted key legislation in the field of anti-corruption, which were actions we took within the framework of obligations from the SAA and ERA.
We have increased the fight against corruption, which has so far resulted in more than 780 Police operations against economic and corruption crimes, with more than 2,200 people arrested, including nearly 300 state officials, and 68 criminal groups have been destroyed, and 1.7 tons of drugs were confiscated. 5 drug laboratories are destroyed. And 11 illegal roads in the north of the country have been closed.
Fight against corruption and organized crime, as well good governance without scandals has appraised Kosovo in the international reports. We were ranked first in the Western Balkans in the World Justice Project index for 2021 year, and 17 positions higher in the Transparency International and World Press Freedom.
As for the Economic Criteria, the competitive economy and economic development are prerequisites on better welfare for citizens, but also an important criterion in the advancement towards European Union. With a good, fair and developmental governance, we are offering a suitable climate of making business.
Last year we have recorded an economic growth from 10.7% of the gross domestic product. And this is more than any other year in the history of our state.
In 2021, exports were 83.6% higher than in the previous year and this year they are even 29.5% higher than in 2021. In 2019, the ratio of export and import of goods was 1:9, thus 9 times more imports than exports. This year, as a result of the increase in export in the last two years, the ratio has significantly improved to 1:6. Therefore, from 1:9 to 1:6.
The budget revenues are 1/3 higher than last year, while foreign direct investments have been increased for 22%. According to Kosovo Tax Administration, in 2021 we had 25,000 more jobs registered than its predecessor, and from January to August of the present year we have 15 thousand more jobs.
The good management of the pandemic, successful mass vaccination campaign, the Economic Recovery Package that already has a total value of 750 million Euros, the influence of the diaspora and good governance, are both the causes and reasons for the good economic performance.
We have supported agriculturists and farmers through grants and subsidies with a total value of around 100 million Euros. We, also have subsidized wheat for 216% more, marking the highest subsidy in the region.
This has been accompanied by important legislation in the field of agriculture, after many years of stagnation.
We have drafted the 2022-2031 Energy Strategy; signed the agreement with MCC in the amount of 236.7 million Dollars, that is the largest investment ever in the sector of energy; we inaugurated the wind park in Selac, in the amount of 169 million Euros, whose 27 turbines will cover 10% of the installed capacity of our country and will reduce CO2 carbon dioxide emissions for 247 thousand tons. In the “Solar4Kosovo” project in the amount 65 million will present one of the largest solar power plants in Europe.
In the field of education, Kosovo has received associate status in the research and innovation programme “Horizon” of the European Union with the full rights, thus making the Republic of Kosovo a member of the European research space that offers greater funding and participation opportunities. in the European Union the programmes.
We have recently received candidate status in the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA).
We have made public high education free of charge, as we promised, and in the present year we have increased the budget for education for 12 percent.
Dear Ambassador,
Dear Citizens,
War in Ukraine following the Russian invasion and aggression has strengthened the need for unity in Europe and revived the enlargement agenda. This political attention for Balkans gives hope to Kosovo to be promoted towards European journey. Kosovo is immediately aligned with the West in the sanctions against the Russian Federation, which before being aligned with the foreign policy of the European Union is our value and democratic orientation.
This year, we have intensified our commitment regarding visa liberalization. On 12 August 12, exactly two months ago, Government has submitted to the European Commission a detailed report on our progress in the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organized crime, as well migration management, thus in the fields in which the member states have hesitations.
Our achievements have been confirmed by the Commission and welcomed by all member states of the Council, and we have managed to enter the agenda of the Working Group on Visas (Format of the Council of the European Union) after more than four years. We are coordinated with the Czech Presidency of the Council as this topic is also their priority.
We will work closely with all supporting countries and coordinating the further steps.
Meanwhile, we have started preparations to submit application for membership in the European Union as a first step aiming of obtain a candidate status.
Kosovo is European country. With European values and orientation. With Foreign policy aligned with the European Union. We have been implementing the Stabilization and Association Agreement for over six years. This leads us to believe that we do meet all the technical criteria to obtain a candidate country status.
Thank you!
Last modified: October 13, 2022