Minister Çitaku participated in the Donors Conference on Sustainable Energy for Kosovo

Honourable Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen’s,

It is a pleasure to be among you here today, in an event which will assist toward the development of the energetic sector, and with it to the development of Kosovo.

Today, anywhere in the world the importance of sustainable energetic development and preservation of the environment is no longer news. Taking into consideration that global request for energy is increasing, Kosovo has entered into a decisive phase of reconstructing its energetic sector and determination toward supplying and its clean environment.

Kosovo, as a member of the Energy Community is obligated and bit it is committed to harmonization with acquis, in the field of legislation as well as in the development policies of the sector. EU`s strategy for energy, 20-20-20 a strategy for sustainable energy and security of supplying, today is already an integral part of thinking and acting/working in developing energy and environmental policies in Kosovo.

Historically, Kosovo`s economy is based in its natural wealth- resources and industry, i.e. energy and mining. A key challenge in Kosovo remains the generation of economic growth, and the sector of energy and mines are main potentials for an increase in the future. Beside sufficient coal reserves, Kosovo has the potential of developing Renewable Resources (RR) and Energy Efficiency. Utilization of RR, preservation and efficient utilization of energy, by attracting foreign investments may return this sector in the main impetus of growth, and not of a exhaustion or a burden of the public budged. With the development of these two fields, in one side it will be contributed to the request for energy and supply security, and on the other side toward the achievement of the spatial objectives which means the reduction of pollution and green house gas emission.

Honoured,

Until now the lack of energy in Kosovo was the main contraction toward an overall development. Therefore, this donor’s conference should be viewed from a wider and multidimensional prism, than a sole investment in a sector. Proper and adequate investment in a sector toward supply security, will contribute in the development of other sectors, economic one and in particular the human one- education and health. Therefore, I am certain that the return of Kosovo into a sustainable country with energy, not only will lead toward economic development, but it will spread it, as a new power into regional market of energy.

Thank you.