A delegation of the Ministry of Regional Development has begun a four-day visit to the state of Croatia. The delegation consists of the Deputy Minister of MRD, Mr. Ali Tafashiku; Chief of Cabinet of the Minister, Mr. Yildiray Bayram; Acting Director of the Department for Regional Development, Mr. Rainbow Citaku; Acting Head of the Regional Development Coordination Division, Mrs. Kreshnike Arifi and the Senior Officer for Regional Initiatives, Mrs. Gresa Gashi.
The visit of the delegation from MRD commenced on 15.05.2024 in the city of Pula, specifically at the Rectorate of the University of Pula, where the MRD delegation was welcomed by Vice Rector Prof. Alfiro Barbieri and Deans of the Faculties of this University.
The meeting discussed with special emphasis the possibility of cooperation in the field of online studies for students from Kosovo, internships for students of the tourism and entrepreneurship sector - these programs are financed by the EU; concrete cooperation with the Universities of Kosovo, Chambers and Associations of Tourism and Hospitality.
While waiting for the conduct of the second visit, according to the agenda in the city of Pula, the delegation was also asked to meet the representatives of the Albanian community therein, in which case they had lunch in the well-known restaurant of Pula, which was run by Mr. Angel Lekaj. Present were: the President of the Albanian Community in the Region of Istraia, Mr. Rrok Lekaj, Chairman of the Association of Albanians around the world Mr. Sahit Tashefci, Chairman of the Association of Albanians of Pula, Mr. Selim Mulliqi and the Chairman of the Association of Albanians of Medulin Mr. Home Tanushaj. They discussed upon different topics, but what stood out the most was the preservation of language and tradition, and especially the patriotism.
The visit to the city of Pula was concluded at the Istria Development Agency - IDA, where the delegation was welcomed by the Director of this Agency, Mr. Boris Sabatti, and was informed about the good practices that this Agency has adapted to take advantage of EU funds as well as to creating the spaces and conditions that this Agency offers for Start-ups, being also an incubator for new businesses.
The first day of the official visit to Croatia was concluded in Zagreb with a working dinner that the Ambassador of Kosovo to Croatia, Mr. Martin Berishaj, had organized for the delegation from MRD. The former Albanian MP in Croatia, Mrs. Ermina Lekaj Perlaskaj and the representative of the Croatian-Albanian good friendship association, Mr. Ante Bacic attended this dinner as well.
The second day of the visit dated 16.05.2024, of the delegation from the MRD, started at the successful company for recycling bags, plastic and paper waste "REOMA" which was led by Mr. Fatmir Ademi.
During the visit, the company's digital equipment was presented in its entirety, and the entire work process was explained. With a recycling capacity of over 200 tons of waste and over 390 employees, the company "REOMA" was a leader in the Western Balkan region.
The agenda was followed by the next meeting in the Chamber of Commerce of Croatia, as the MRD delegation was joined by the Ambassador of Kosovo to Croatia, Mr. Martin Berishaj.
The host of the meeting, the Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Croatia, Mrs. Andrea Vukojevic, during the meeting, expressed full will and readiness to offer cooperation and assistance in various sectors such as: textiles, plastics, metals and tourism, but with special emphasis on the drafting of EU projects.
The Zagreb Faculty of Economics was the next destination for the delegation of MRD, as the host of the meeting was Vice Dean Prof. Dr. Sc. Jakša Kristo, who expressed commitment and readiness for concrete cooperation in the establishment of joint educational programs, the participation of students in the summer school in Dubrovnik, postgraduate studies and with special emphasis in the field of accreditation in international programs.
The agenda of the MRD delegation continued in the premises of the Embassy of Kosovo in Croatia, where in addition to Ambassador Berishaj, the former Albanian MP in Croatia, Mrs. Perlaskaj and the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Croatia Mrs. Bianka Matkovic attended the meeting as well. In this meeting, the whole journey of the Croatian state in the EU integration was discussed in detail, but also the challenges that the Croatian state had encountered regarding this integration path.
Ms Bianca expressed the readiness to cooperate in elimination of mistakes for the state of Kosovo, so that it does not repeat what her state had done.
The agenda of the second day was concluded at the premises of the Union of Albanians in Croatia, where the host of the meeting was Mr. Esat Collaku with an associate.
All the time, the MRD delegation was accompanied by the Migration Attache, Mr. Sefedin Kuçi from the Embassy of Kosovo in Croatia.
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