European Agenda for Reform launched within the high-level dialogue Kosovo – EU on key priorities

Prishtina, 11 November 2016 – In the presence of a high level EU delegation, led by the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Negotiations for Enlargement, Mr. Johannes Hahn, today in Prishtina is launched the implementation of the Agenda for European Reform. This was done in a joint meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Mustafa, held today in Prishtina. Beside them, in this meeting from the Kosovo side attended also the ministers of the Government, members of the Parliamentary Committee for European Integration, heads of independent institutions, representatives from civil society and business community.

In addition, present were also the Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Ms. Apostolova, Ambassadors of the EU Member States accredited in Prishtina, the ambassadors of the United States, Norway and Switzerland, as well as representatives of financial institutions accredited in Prishtina and some key development partners.

This meeting is taking place during the official visit of Commissioner Hahn in Kosovo on the occasion of the publication of the Report of the European Commission for Kosovo for this year. After the entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement on 1 April this year, this meeting is the second most important event of this year in the political relations with EU.

Today’s meeting also marks the beginning of high-level dialogue between the Republic of Kosovo and the European Union on key priorities. Similar to other countries in the region, this framework of the regular dialogue has been established to drive forward the fulfilment of the obligations under the SAA through an approach where the reform priorities will be discussed regularly between the parties at the highest political level, twice a year.

As an official planning document within the high-level dialogue, the Agenda for European Reform was designed in the wake of the entry into force of the SAA, and after the initial consultations, and was officially launched by Prime Minister Mustafa and Commissioner Hahn on 17May 2016, in the High Level Kosovo-EU Conference on the Stabilization and Association Agreement, held in Pristina. Thereafter, under the leadership of the Ministry of European Integration and the European Commission the priorities were agreed and action plan 2017 was drafted for their implementation, in cooperation with relevant institutions. In this process, civil society organizations, international financial institutions and development partners (donors), were also consulted.

AER is divided into three pillars: Good governance and the rule of law; Competitiveness and investment climate; and employment and education. Action Plan for 2017 contains about 130 actions. It was approved by the Government a day before yesterday, on 9 November 2016, and was proceeded to the Assembly for adoption.

Last modified: August 10, 2022