The European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström launched a visa liberalisation dialogue with Kosovo during her visit to Pristina on 19 January. The aim of this dialogue is to eventually lift the visa obligation for citizens of Kosovo. This will only be possible, however, once the Government of Kosovo has implemented substantial reforms in key areas such as the security of travel documents; border, migration and asylum management; public order and security issues (notably the fight against organised crime and corruption) and fundamental rights issues related to the freedom of movement.

"Our commitment to visa liberalisation for the citizens of Kosovo is real, and I am very pleased that we can now start making concrete progress towards this goal. I know how important visa free travel is to the citizens of Kosovo and I'm happy that we've now set the ball rolling. Whether and how soon citizens obtain the privilege of visa-free travel will nevertheless depend entirely on the Government of Kosovo's continuing efforts to implement reforms in the rule of law area and on concrete progress made on the ground," said Cecilia Malmström.

Trade preferences with Kosovo reinstated

Kosovo producers have restarted their duty free export to the EU as of 30 December 2011. The reinstated Autonomous Trade Measures, which had expired at the end of 2010, apply for nearly all products originating from Kosovo. The aim of the trade preferences is to revitalise the Western Balkans economies, and also stimulate foreign direct investment. The EU is Kosovo’s biggest trading partner with exports amounting to €147 million in 2010.

EC reconfirms support to fight against corruption

The Progress Report identified further progress needed in the area of fight against corruption. Soon after the publication of the Report, the EC Liaison Office reconfirmed its support to the Anti-Corruption Agency in a meeting with its Head, Hasan Preteni.

The EU's People to People Programme organised a seminar to discuss the role of civil society and media in the fight against corruption. Best practices and initiatives to fight corruption were presented.

Kosovo entrepreneurs in the limelight

The EC supported a two-week campaign to promote entrepreneurship and strengthen the public-private sector dialogue named Small Business Days. The events were organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises Support Agency with the support of the EU funded project – SME Support to the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Conferences held across Kosovo promoted dialogue between the authorities and the business community. The work of the SME’s to increase competitiveness was recognised, and the youth were engaged in a competition for best business ideas.

EU sets standards for public procurement legislation

The EU has completed a three-year project supporting Public Procurement reform and aligning the legislation with the European standards. A new public procurement law, in force since October 2011, provides the structure for an effective public procurement system which promotes efficiency and effectiveness. The new law aims to increase transparency, equal treatment and proportional use of resources. The EU has been assisting public procurement reform in Kosovo since 2001.

New publications for legal practitioners published

A new series of legal publications were presented in the framework of the Twinning Project "Legal Education System Reform". The publications, developed by the Kosovo Law Centre, include a summary of Lex Legis laws, a bulletin of the Legal Practice, a Themis introductory brochure, and a manual – Report on legislation of Kosovo’s Constitutional Court.

The legal publications will constitute a new resource for legal practitioners in their everyday job as well as provide analysis to develop Kosovo future legal practice.

Beautifying Kosovo

The European Commission Liaison Office inaugurated a series of projects implemented in the framework of the Beautiful Kosovo project.

In Kacanik, a pathway and a school yard were renovated; A public space in Pejë/Peć; In Hani i Elezit/ Ðeneral Janković a fountain in the city park and the renovation of a school’s yard; and just recently in Skenderaj/Srbica municipality, citizens have benefited from a renovated facades of the buildings of the Cultural Centre and the Kindergarten.

Beautiful Kosovo aims to address poverty and promote employment.

Introducing state of the art technology in schools

The EU is funding a project supporting the Ministry of Education to bring new technology and eLearning to schools in Kosovo. 40 schools and educational institutions have been supplied with Information and Communication Technology equipment enabling students to take their classes using computers. As part of the project, 2000 teachers have been trained to use ICT and eLearning for teaching in the class room.

Promotion of Kosovo tourism underway

The European Union Regional Economic Development Scheme II has introduced nine new projects focusing in tourism and business development as well agriculture. This year’s grant scheme supports plans to develop tourism in the East Region, further development of “Welcome in Dukagjin” project in Region West, and developing, improving and promoting tourism in the Batllavë/Batlava lake. The total support for this year is €2.8 million.

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