05 September 2014
03/09/2014- With the aim of advancing research and studies in the field of speleology in Kosovo, the Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency has signed a cooperation memorandum with the Karst Research Institute from Slovenia, which operates within the Research Center of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts. It is well known that caves, as speleological phenomena in Kosovo, are very little researched; therefore, such a memorandum will pave the way for the possibility of implementing research projects in the field of speleology and advancing this sector.
The memorandum foresees that the Slovenian Institute for Karst Research will offer its experience in the field of speleological research, while AMMK will include in the annual work program of the Kosovo Institute for Nature Protection the research of limestone terrains with particular emphasis on annual expeditions for cave research.
Also, through this memorandum, it is foreseen that the Slovenian Institute for Karst Research will organize and support with its theoretical and practical experience, training for government and non-governmental institutions of Kosovo, on cave and karst terrain research techniques with the aim of solving problems in these fields. Meanwhile, the AMMK, through the Kosovo Institute for Nature Protection, will provide documentation and a list of caves in Kosovo, which will be used for planning activities or even for determining priorities in cave and karst terrain research in Kosovo.
Even though the primary focus of the memorandum is to give priority to scientific projects related to the research, study, and protection of caves and karst terrains, both institutions will also engage in securing donations for the research, study, and protection of caves and karst terrains, as well as in the exchange of information and bilateral experiences.
For the implementation of this Memorandum, it is planned to form joint groups, which will draft a work program containing the types of specific activities, the implementation timeframe, the responsible parties, and their cost. The groups will cooperate in the spirit of knowledge and experience sharing, based on the principles of equality, reciprocity, and mutual benefit.