PRISTINA – Minister Hoxha pointed out that during this year, under the coordination of the Ministry of European Integration and the Ministry of Finance, was updated the Priority List of Projects for 2018 and for the following years, the infrastructure investment program consists of 63 projects in the field of transport, energy, environment and social sector, by reaching a total amount of EUR 3.4 billion.
At the meeting of the National Investment Council, which was co-chaired by the Minister of European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, and Minister of Finance, Bedri Hamza, were present Deputy Prime Minister, Dardan Gashi, Ministers of Government Cabinet, representatives of friendly countries of Kosovo and the donors.
Minister Hoxha at the opening speech stressed that the Council is also a further effort to advance the European integration process.
“Given that investment in infrastructure projects is essential for the wellbeing of our citizens, Kosovo’s institutions will continue to work intensively to respond to the demands emerging from the Berlin Process”, said Minister Hoxha by adding that the investment in national and regional infrastructure projects will significantly shorten the path for EU membership and will therefore serve the well-being of our citizens.
Minister stated that provision of European perspective for the entire Balkan region and undertaking of concrete steps to realize this process, is the right answer for the future of the region. The European Union has undertaken a series of initiatives to push forward the European integration process for the Balkan countries.
In the Berlin Process, which commenced in August 2014, was reaffirmed the importance of improving the linkage or interconnection of the Western Balkan countries among themselves and with the EU, said Minister Hoxha. She noted that the primary purpose of the Berlin Process was to create a list of major infrastructure projects that would impact the improvement of overall infrastructure of Western Balkans.
“The European Union has allocated EUR 1 billion to finance infrastructure projects that will emerge from the Berlin Process, through the Western Balkans Investment Framework or WBIF,” stated the Minister, and added that by reducing the cost of transport, by securing supply of energy, by creating long-term business partnerships and technology transfer, the Berlin Process will enable the connection of Western Balkan economies with EU.
Minister Hoxha pointed out that during this year, under the coordination of the Ministry of European Integration and the Ministry of Finance, was updated the Priority List of Projects for 2018 and for the following years, the infrastructure investment program consists of 63 projects in the field of transport, energy, environment and social sector, reaching a total amount of EUR 3.4 billion.
Minister Hoxha stated that Priority List of Projects is the Government’s main document for planning the infrastructure investments for the upcoming decades.
She also noted that these projects require close cooperation of the institutions and asked for dynamic work with WBIF representatives by responding to them in requests for various data and by avoiding unnecessary delays towards the International Financial Institutions.
These projects will create better opportunities for all citizens and in particular thanked Minister Hamza and the staff of the Ministry of Finance who together with the staff of the Ministry of Integration have coordinated the preparation of this document.
The co-chair of the council, Minister Hamza, pointed out the achievements and challenges of this Commission, by focusing on the importance of the “Berlin Process”. The Project of Railroad Corridor 10, road Prishtina-Peja, rehabilitation of Iber-Lepenc canal, wastewater projects in many cities of the country, as well as a number of other projects, are of tremendous value for the development of the country, and also he has requested to enhance the dynamics of the procedures from the line ministries, in order to achieve higher effects, improve the quality of life of the citizens of the country.
Also, according to responsibilities, the line Ministers emphasized the priorities and the importance of projects by priorities and the progress reached in implementation of infrastructure projects under the Investment Clause.