The Ministry of Local Government Administration in cooperation with the Ministry for European Integration and support of German governmental agency for international cooperation (GIZ) have held an informational conference with municipalities of the region of Prishtina entitled "The Stabilisation and Association Agreement Kosovo – the EU and its implementation." 3 May 2016, Prishtinë/Priština
The Ministry of Local Government Administration in cooperation with the Ministry for European Integration and support of German governmental agency for international cooperation (GIZ) have held an informational conference with municipalities of the region of Prishtina entitled "The Stabilisation and Association Agreement Kosovo – the EU 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 Kosova’s municipalities in the context of fulfilment of obligations arising out from the European agenda.
The conference was opened by Deputy Minister of MLGA Mr. Bajram, Gecaj, Deputy Minister of European Integration Mr. Ramadan Ilazi, Head of Political, Economic and EU Integration Section at the EU Office Mr. Thomas Gnocch, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in Kosova Ms. Marija Kapitanoviq. The Deputy Minister of MLGA Mr. Gecaj stressed that "Promoting local democracy and increasing the quality of municipal services in accordance with European standards has been our main commitment during this period. The integration into the "European family" remains the main objective and the SAA is a guide to the advancement of democracy and reforms in line with European values. Therefore, this meeting today is more than welcomed for all of us, because it is an opportunity to get closely acquainted to the rights and obligations of the parties to the SAA agreement, especially the municipalities, as a single unit of the local level".
The participants discussed about the benefits of the SAA Kosovo – the EU and its implementation, with particular emphasis on economic criteria. It was also discussed about the importance of the National Programme for the Implementation of the SAA, which is focused on three strategic aspects of Kosovo’s membership EU related to the fulfilment of the obligations of the SAA, approximation of national legislation with the acquis of the EU and the implementation of harmonized legislation – through the advancement of policies, institutional reforms and capacity building.
The representatives of the Ministry of European Integration have made their presentations on the obligations and political and economic benefits arising from the SAA in the second part of the conference.