Today, 27 November 2023, the Ministry of Regional Development held the Regional Development Forum with the theme: "Possibilities of regional cooperation Kosovo-Albania" where the main goal is the advancement of Kosovo-Albania cooperation for a sustainable regional socio-economic development.
The forum was opened by the Minister of Regional Development, Mr. Fikrim Damka, who welcomed all the participants and emphasized that it is an honor to address this honorable forum today and shed light on the extraordinary opportunities found in the promotion of regional cooperation between Kosovo and Albania. Regional development across borders can be achieved through cooperation in joint infrastructure projects, trade agreements and investment initiatives which can create a symbiotic relationship, benefiting both Kosovo and Albania. Creating a strong regional market can attract foreign investment and stimulate economic diversification, leading to sustainable development.
The forum continued with remarks by Prof. Assoc. Dr. Pranvera Teli, Minister Counselor from the Embassy of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Johannes Stenbaek Madsen, Head of the Cooperation Section at the EU Office in Kosovo, the Mayor of the Municipality of Gjakova Mr. Ardian Gjini, the Mayor of Has in the Republic of Albania, Mr. Miftar Dauti, and Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Mr. Ali Tafarshiku, presented the idea of the common Kosovo-Albania market.
The second part of the forum continued with discussions in the panel composed of Dr. Besim Kamberaj, Acting Secretary General of the MRD, Prof. Asst. Dr. Drilon Bunjaku, Rector of the University of Gjakova, Mr. Sokol Luta, Director of RDA West, Mr. Fatjon Nanaj, Director of the Department of Regional Development and Cohesion/Albanian Development Fund (Albania) with presentations and talks on regional development, management structures and regional development programs.
In the last panel of this forum, the following were discussed: inter-municipal cooperation and cooperation of businesses by the panelists consisting of: Mr. Ylber Çitaku, Acting Director of the Department of Regional Development at the MRD, Mr. Ruzhdi Shehu, Mayor of the Municipality of Junik, Mr. Abedin Kernaja, Deputy Mayor of Tropoja (Albania), Mr. Skender Thaqi, Chairman of the Mountain Tourism Association (Kosovo), and Mr. Kujtim Dervishi - Chairman of the Association of Albanian Tourist Restaurants (Albania).
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Albin Kurti, also joined the forum, and congratulated the Ministry of Regional Development for the organization and the fruitful discussions in this forum, emphasizing that the cooperation between our two countries should be guided by the idea of making life easier for citizens, until the feeling of living in the same place, in the same values, under the same laws and rules, without obstacles and without changes that make it difficult or slow down their communication and daily activities.
In the end, Mr. Besim Kamberaj, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Regional Development presented the final conclusions from the Forum for Regional Development on the topic: "Possibilities of regional cooperation Kosovo-Albania.”
