05 Mar Kosovo is interested for EITI Initiative
The interest of various European and in the world countries to recognize Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) is being expanded rapidly. Reports from the International EITI Secretariat for the submission of applications to become a member country are increased after the 6th EITI Global Conference held in May 2013, Sydney, including powerful countries like UK, France etc.
Among the Balkan region countries the interest has increased by the State of Kosovo to implement the EITI initiative. For this purpose a working group from Kosovo Government and ALBEITI Secretariat have discussed on 23-24 October 2013 in Tirana and addressed the Albanian experience as an opportunity and work head to EITI issue in Kosovo.
The Kosovo delegation was represented by Mr. Genc Hajdini, Political Advisor to the Ministry of Economic Development, Besim Veselaj, Leader in Strategies Division Sector, Mr. Gazmend Ahmeti, Minister Advisor and Mr. Kemajl Zeqiri, functionary in the same division.
The delegation was welcomed by the head of the ALBEITI Secretariat, Mr.Shkelqim Hysaj, Agim Shehu, Economic Coordinator and representative members of the Working Group (MSG) of the Ministry of Energy and Industry (MEI) and Civil Society, who gave their experiences in ALBEITI issue.
The meeting was addressed and provided base knowledge in key principles and criteria of the EITI as a global standard that promotes revenue transparency created and paid by extractive industry to the state, good governance and accountability in the sector. Procedures and requirements in terms of work that should be done for being a member in EITI were discussed.
Albania experience highlights the different challenges and problems arising prior to May of this year, when Albania became a member with full rights in this international initiative. Team ALBEITI Secretariat expressed its readiness to help and support on this issue working group of the Kosovo Government at any time. In this way the first meeting between the two parties, opened the onset of the Albanian side support for Kosovo’s progress towards EITI Initiative.