Prishtine, 29 April 2020
At the invitation of the Minister of MLGA, Mrs. Emilija Redžepi and the Minister of MoH Mr. Arben Vitia, as well as in close cooperation with the Association of Kosovo Municipalities represented by the Vice President and at the same time Mayor of the Municipality of Obiliq Mr. Xhafer Gashi, it is held a joint coordination meeting with the Mayors of the municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo, in order to present new measures regarding the COVID – 19 pandemic.
Minister Redžepi thanked the Mayors of the municipalities for their efforts and commitment to be as close as possible to the citizens in order to manage the situation, overcome challenges and implement measures related to global pandemic COVID – 19. Also, the Minister presented all actions taken by the MLGA as the supervisory authority for the municipalities and as a coordinating body between the central and local level. In this regard, all decisions, measures and recommendations taken from the central level have been forwarded to the municipalities in order to inform them. Also, during the visits made to all the municipalities of Kosovo, all the needs expressed by the municipalities have been noted in terms of securing tents, supply of protective and hygienic material, as well as other issues.
Minister Vitia in his address to the Mayors expressed his deepest consideration and gratitude to all municipalities that are managing the situation, as well as the willingness of municipalities to respond positively to the implementation of measures and recommendations of the Government of Kosovo and institutions responsible for public health. The Minister also stressed that we are now halfway there and based on the advice of experts, new measures have been prepared regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and that these measures which will be presented to them today. These measures will start to be implemented from May 4, 2020, but certainly taking into account the proposals coming from the municipalities.
The participants were addressed by the Vice President of the Association of Kosovo Municipalities, who is at the same time the Mayor of Obiliq, Mr. Xhafer Gashi, who thanked Minister Redžepi, Minister Vitia and all Mayors for participating in this important meeting, to discuss the current situation, the challenges presented, the implementation of measures and recommendations of the central level, as well as proposals for new measures which are expected to enter into force on May 4, 2020. President Gashi emphasized that municipalities have successfully managed the situation, taking into account that in addition to the coronavirus COVID-19, municipalities have faced other challenges, especially in terms of socio-economic situation, as problems have emerged due to closing/stopping of the work of all small and medium enterprises, as well as various businesses. President Gashi point out that he will receive all the proposals from the municipalities regarding the new measures and through a unified document, will address them to the Ministry of Health and to the group of experts.
During the meeting, the Mayors of the municipalities presented the various challenges that the municipalities are facing and for which they have required solutions. In principle, participants agreed that by jointly coordinating all actions and implementing the measures, it could be achieved to minimize and overcome this global challenge of COVID-19 pandemic.
