It was presented the Draft National Strategy for European Integration “Kosovo 2020”

On this occasion it’s presented the Draft National Strategy for European Integration, “Kosovo in 2020 – A participatory approach”. This is the first document of this kind, which aims to promote the Kosovo`s European integration process as a country more prepared in the process of European integration. Draft National Strategy for European Integration defines five objectives in which the Kosovo institutions and society will be focused in order to advance the European agenda of the country, to cope with the demands of European integration by 2020. Five unpaved objectives are to be achieved: Governance Effectiveness, Fight against Corruption and Organized Crime, Economic Development, Inclusion of Stakeholders, and Advanced (contractual) Relations with the EU.

On the occasion of the presentation of the Draft National Strategy, Minister Ҫitaku emphasized that what makes this National Strategy unique is the commitment of the various relevant stakeholders in this process, the participation and contribution of all participants in this process, as differs to other strategies, this strategy is the domestic product that reflects challenges and prioritizes the needs and as we see them. In this spirit, the Co-chairmen of Task Force for European Integration, and simultaneously chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for European Integration Mr. Lutfi Haziri stated; the implementation of this strategy, the budgeting priorities is of particular significance. Both chairpersons thanked the commitment of chairpersons, co-chairpersons and support staff who through their commitment made possible the drafting of this strategy.

Draft National Strategy for European Integration is a result of one year of intensive activities of Task Force for European Integration and seven Thematic Round Tables, within which were discussed the administration, law, economics, market, education, agriculture, environmental issues. During this period within the TFEI, and Thematic Round Tables were held dozens of meetings in which participated officials, experts, representatives of civil society, public, academic researchers, community representatives and international organizations present in Kosovo. More precisely, within the 50 workshops have contributed over 1000 participants. Task Force and Thematic Round Tables have compiled dozens of documents in the relevant fields for the process of European integration. This entire engagement is the result of a spirit of understanding, consultation and consensus regarding the current situation and requirements in the integration process.

Regarding the importance of this strategy for the European integration process, the Head of the EU office in Kosovo, Mr. Samuel Zbogar said that one of the European values is comprehensive engagement of all stakeholders in this process, so he greet Task Force regarding the seriousness and sincerity in identifying clearly the challenges and achievements, adding that regarding the implementation of this document are required concrete implementation mechanisms, as well as a liaison with other strategic documents, including action plans within European integration process.

Task Force and Thematic Round Tables work which resulted with this National Strategy was greeted by the German Ambassador, Mr. Blomeyer who congratulated the Minister for European Integration for engagement of this large and comprehensive number of relevant stakeholders in the process, he emphasized that participation in the consultation process and the drafting of the Strategy provides its acceptance, and this is more than necessary for the implementation phase.

In following days, the draft National Strategy will be presented to the National Council for European Integration, which in the next meeting will proceed as the final document supported by this mechanism. Task Force and Thematic Round Tables work is followed by the Ministry of European Integration supported by the Project GIZ “Support of the European Integration Process” in Kosovo. In the end the Task Force approved the Draft National Strategy for European Integration.