Secretariat meets new Kosovo Government, discusses future of energy reforms

The Secretariat met with representatives of the new Kosovo* Government, including Prime Minister Kurti, Deputy Prime Minister Abazi, Minister of Economy Hajdari and Minister of Infrastructure and Environment Abdixhiku, in Pristina on 3 March 2020. The meetings focused on issues related to the Kosova e Re project, replacing the existing renewables feed-in tariff support mechanism with a competitive mechanism and development of an integrated National Energy and Climate Plan. Ongoing infringement cases against Kosovo* were also discussed. The Secretariat was represented by Director Kopač, Deputy Director Buschle and Electricity Expert Kllokoqi.

The new Kosovo* Government informed the Secretariat about its commitment to address all pending reforms and work on integrated National Energy and Climate Plan. The Government also expressed its commitment to study in more detail potential alternatives to increase electricity generation capacities in Kosovo*, including assessing the potential for energy storage. The Secretariat offered its expertise and support to the Kosovo authorities on these important issues. The meetings also touched upon the ongoing process to amend the Energy Community Treaty.

Director Kopač also addressed the Parliamentary Commission dealing with energy, outlining the state of play of Kosovo* regarding transposition and implementation of the energy and environmental acquis.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.