During a two (2)-day visit, the Minister of Regional Development, Mr. Damka, accompanied by his delegation, held several official meetings with the leading structures of DG Regio, the European Committee of the Regions and the Office of the Commissioner for Reforms and Cohesion. The purpose of this visit was to establish cooperation at the regional level with the leading structures of the European Union, so that the state of Kosovo contributes with its capacities to the transnational programs - Interreg (Euromed, Danube and Adrion). Considering that the Republic of Kosovo has geographical connections with the three programs mentioned above, as well as considering the participation of neighboring countries in these programs, the meetings were aimed at highlighting the contribution that the state of Kosovo can make to fulfilling the priorities of these programs.
On 28 April 2023, the Minister of Regional Development, Mr. Damka, with his delegation was received by the General Director of Regional and Urban Policies, Mr. Normunds Popens and his professional team. The interlocutors discussed all the possibilities for Kosovo to be a part of large transnational projects and Interreg and to strengthen its participation in other programs such as: Interreg Europe, EGDC as well as other cross-border programs supported by IPA instruments. Mr. Normuds offered all his support to provide all the necessary instructions for Kosovo to be part of transnational programs and Interreg in the future, a request which has been addressed by the Ministry of Regional Development to the coordinating authorities of these programs.
The meeting continued with the Director of European Territorial Cooperation, Macro-regions and Implementation of Interreg programs, Mr. Slawomir Tokarski, who, in line with the priorities of the MRD, promised his support to Kosovo to be part of regional macro strategies, as well as revealed all program opportunities where Kosovo's regional development policies have the opportunity to be included through programs and programming partners. The day ended with the last meeting hosted by the Chief of Cabinet Mr. Hugo Sobral and the staff supported by the Office of the Commissioner for Cohesion and Reform, where all the political challenges that censor the Republic of Kosovo as a non-member state in the European Union various regional programs, regional strategies and cohesive policies were discussed. From this meeting, it was concluded that Kosovo as a state will have European support to advance all processes that affect equal development in the entire territory of Kosovo and access to EU funds. The parties also appreciated the initiative and the right approach of the MRD to be part of the transnational programs Interreg Danube, Interreg Adrion and Interreg Euromed.
Furthermore, on 27 April 2023, the Kosovo delegation was received by Mr. Gordon Modro, Deputy Head of the European Committee of the Regions Init, expert for cross-border cooperation and EGTC, Mr. Slaven Klobucar and Mr. Petri Mirala from the Secretariat of the Committee for CIVEX Kosova, the Deputy General Secretary in the Ministry of Regional Development, Mr. Besim Kamberaj, the Head of the Division for Balanced Regional Development, Mrs. Vjendita Avdiu Musliu, and the Advisor to the Minister, Mr. Ercan Silik, where it was discussed about the concrete steps and all the instructions that the state Kosovo needs to establish a regional instrument like EGDC to enable many other financial benefits and partner support projects.
In the meeting, it was concluded that the state of Kosovo has no obstacles in the field of legislation to establish such a structure. In all meetings, the delegation of the Ministry of Regional Development was assisted by the professional staff of the Embassy of Kosovo in Brussels, Mr. Enis Xhemaili.
