Under the regular reporting on the process of decentralization in Kosova, co-chaired by Minister of Local Government Administration, Mr. Slobodan Petrovic and representative of International Civilian Office, Mr. Pieter Faith was held the meeting of Inter-Ministerial Group on Decentralization. Prishtine, 23 March 2011
Under the regular reporting on the process of decentralization in Kosova, co-chaired by Minister of Local Government Administration, Mr. Slobodan Petrovic and representative of International Civilian Office, Mr. Pieter Faith was held the meeting of Inter-Ministerial Group on Decentralization.
Prime Minister of Kosova, Mr. Hashim Thaçi said that Decentralization remains the key issue for better and effective governance, because through decentralization of government, we manage to offer better public services in all sectors and for all citizens of the Republic of Kosova.
"Government of the Republic of Kosovo is pledged to create an environment where tolerance, dialogue and understanding among all communities living in our country, to be the first principle of coexistence, "said Prime Minister of Kosova,Mr. Hashim Thaci.”
Prime Minsiter, Mr. Thaçi said that the establishment of new municipalities has much facilitated lives of citizens, by enabling them that through local government, to have access in power and governance. Decentralization is unquestionably a principle of the democratic world that will lead Kosovo closer to Western values.
"I will be insistent, that after the establishment of the new municipality of North Mitrovica, we should prepare that all citizens who are living in the municipalities in Northern Kosova, to enable them free and transparent elections in accordance with the law and Constitution of Kosova"- said Prime Minister of Kosova, Mr. Hashim Thaçi.
Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Petrovic sadi that Kosova already has a modern legal basis in the field of local-self government, which is in full compliance with the principles and criteria of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, in the full respect of all international standards and promoting and respecting of all citizens rights
By reporting on achievements in the process of Decentralization, Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Petrovic said that municipalities of Gracanica, Klokot/Verboci, Ranilug and Partesh now are functioning successfully as municipalities , while has passed without any problem the extension of municipality of Novo Brdo with 14 additional cadastral zones.
While, regarding the implementation of Decentralization in the North, Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Petrovic said that Municipal Preparatory Team of Northern Mitrovica is established and is actively working to fulfill objectives for the creation of the new municipality.
"Many efforts and achievements have been done, however, we have a lot of things to be done in order to achieve our objectives as improving of welfare of all citizens in Kosova, ensuring equal access and inclusion of all citizens"- said Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Petrovic
Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Petrovic said that an additional attention will be given to the non-majority communities in the country in order to enjoy their full integration in the society and equal rights as all other citizens.
"The main focus of the work over the coming months will be to support activities of the Municipal Preparatory Team in Northern Mitrovica, in order to conclude successfully even the process of creation of the new municipality" -said Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Petrovic.
Whereas, representative of International Civilian Office, Mr. Pieter Feith said that decentralization has made the progress and that all municipalities are created that are foreseen in Ahtisaari ‘s plan and are leading by the respective majority community, except the Northern Mitrovica.
"We need to ensure full transfer of competences from the central to the local level and make sure that sufficient resources are available for the new municipalities. We should also inform citizens in the North about the importance and benefits of decentralization as a European value, "-said Head of the International Civilian Office, Mr. Pieter Feith.
Meeting of Inter-Ministerial Group for decentralization was one of regular meetings, where the progress in the process of decentralization in the areas of legislation, local government, establishment of new municipalities, capacity building in municipalities in coordination with donors, and communicating with the public, were presented.
Also, in the meeting was even discussed about the Action Plan on the Decentralization Process and Mandate of the Municipal Preparatory Team for North of Mitrovica.