On 15.02.2022, the Minister of Regional Development, Fikrim Damka, received in a meeting the Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Mr Tomáš Szunyog, as well as other representatives from the EU Office. A number of topics and opportunities for cooperation and support in the field of balanced regional development were discussed at this meeting. Minister Damka informed Mr Szunyog about the strategic policy advancement processes implemented by the Ministry of Regional Development, the draft law on regional development which is expected to be forwarded to the Assembly of Kosovo, various cooperation with donors and the Ministry's initiatives to be able to be part of transnational programs. Attention was also paid to the International Conference in the field of regional development which the MRD will hold on 24-25 March 2022, as details were given in terms of participating countries, the agenda, while the EU Office was asked to support the organization of this first conference of this type, which aims to promote regional development as well as the sharing of best practices by the Western Balkan countries and EU countries.

The conversation continued with a supportive speech by Mr Tomáš Szunyog, who welcomed and congratulated the Ministry for the work, achievements and the process of drafting the draft law on regional development, hoping for a speedy approval in the Assembly of Kosovo. Mr Szunyog praised the work of MRD for organizing an international conference in the field of regional development and expressed his readiness to provide technical expertise support to further advance regional development processes.

The parties agreed to continue communication regarding the concretization and implementation of concrete activities in the future.