On 22 July 2016, the Ministry of Local Government Administration in cooperation with the Ministry for European Integration and support of the Governmental German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) has organised the third informational conference with municipalities of the region of Ferizaj entitled "The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between EU – Kosovo and its implementation." Prishtina, 25 July 2016
On 22 July 2016, the Ministry of Local Government Administration in cooperation with the Ministry for European Integration and support of the Governmental German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) has organised the third informational conference with municipalities of the region of Ferizaj entitled "The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between EU – Kosovo and its implementation."
The purpose of this conference was to discuss about the importance of the SAA, the steps that will be taken towards its implementation and the role and responsibilities of Kosovo’s municipalities in the context of fulfilment of obligations derived from the European agenda.
The ceremonial opening of the informational conference was made by the Mayor of Ferizaj Mr. Muharrem Svarqa, who presented the achievements of the municipality with regards to the fulfilment of obligations derived from the European agenda. The Deputy Minister of Local Government Administration Mr. Bajram, Gecaj, Deputy Minister of European Integration Mr. Ramadan Ilazi and Head of Mission of Slovakia in Kosovo Mr. Ljubomir Batary have also delivered a speech.
"Our vision of improving local self-government is aimed towards EU membership. The process for achieving this vision includes modernisation of public services and local administration, enhancement of professional capacities of municipal officials and establishment of an integrated system that will enable rational use of human and financial resources, and thus make our local governments and our country competitive with countries of the region initially and then with EU member states, as standard-bearers,” said Mr. Gecaj, Deputy Minister of Local Government Administration.
The participants have also discussed about the benefits of the implementation of EU-Kosovo SAA with particular emphasis on economic criteria. The importance of the National Programme for the Implementation of the SAA was also emphasised. This programme is focused on three strategic aspects of Kosovo’s membership in EU related to the fulfilment of the obligations derived from the SAA, approximation of national legislation with the EU Acquis and the implementation of harmonised legislation – through the advancement of policies, institutional reforms and capacity building.
The second part of the conference continued with the presentations made by Mr. Jeton Karaqica, Director of the Department for Economy and Trade in MIE, entitled "Obligations and political and economic benefits arising from the SAA", Mr. Irfan Lipovica, Head of the Department for European Integration and Policy Coordination in MTI on trade and export of local products and Mr. Yll Valla, Acting Head of Department for European Integration and Policy Coordination in MLGA, entitled "Obligations of municipalities derived from the European agenda for 2016”.