Pristina, 4 August2016
Under the chairmanship of Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, yesterday afternoon was held a regular meeting of the Project Steering Board of IBM for building permanent border crossings between the Republic of Kosovo and Serbia. Present at the meeting were members of the Management Board consisting of state working group of the of IBM agreement and representatives of the EU / European Union Office in Kosovo and UNOPS as implementing partner contracted by the EU.
The purpose of this meeting was to finalize and test projects for border crossings in Merdare, Brnjak and Mutivodë for which, according to the Brussels Agreement for IBM and Technical Protocol, the state of Kosovo is a hosting party. While three other border crossing points, the Serbian side is hosting party of construction projects.
In this meeting, Minister Edita Tahiri talked about the importance of building permanent border crossing points according to the European model of IBM considering that this process is being developed according to the dynamics agreed in the Project Management Board. She further said that quality and efficient implementation of this agreement is of great state importance for the government and the citizens of Kosovo. Tahiri thanked the EU for financial support and UNOPS for their professionalism and stated that the construction of these permanent crossing points of IBM will strengthen the sovereignty of the state of Kosovo, meet European standards for integrated border management, would facilitate border crossing for citizens and businesses and will fight the phenomena of informal economy.
According to the meeting agenda, UNOPS initially presented final plans of these crossings, which are designed in accordance with the functional requirements of the authorities of Kosovo, respectively Kosovo Police, Kosovo Customs and Food and Veterinary Agency (KVFA). After a detailed review by the members of the Board of Directors, approval of final projects has been done. With this, Minister Edita Tahiri stressed that the study visit to Croatia in crossing point of Bajakovo, which operates under the model of IBM, has been important because the experiences gained have contributed to the advancement of technical solutions that meet the standards of the EU and give Kosovo possibility that these standards to be completed on time in the path of European integration. At this meeting, it discussed progress in completing the process of expropriation of property where is expected to be built these border crossing points.
On his part, the Project Director of UNOPS, Brendan Keirnan, thanking Minister Edita Tahiri for collaborating said these crossings points will be the most modern ever built, they will include very comfortable and professional premises for officials who will work there.
Mr. Libor Chlad, deputy chief for cooperation in the EU office in Kosovo, said that the EU is pleased with the progress on the implementation of this project and promised EU commitment to its full implementation.
The meeting was attended by members of the state working group for IBM agreement, Dren Zeka, chief political adviser to the Minister and coordinator of the Working Group, Kamer Jonuzaj from the Kosovo Police, Bekim Mehmetaj from Kosovo Customs, Arben Çitaku from the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Valdet Gjinovci from the Agency of Food and Veterinary and international representatives, Libor Chlad, deputy chief for cooperation in the EU office in Kosovo, Merita Govori from the EU Office in Kosovo, Brendan Keirnan, Project Director of UNOPS and Dritëro Jashari from UNOPS.
