25 September 2014
25/09/2014 - The Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency today and tomorrow is hosting the 23rd meeting of the Network of Heads of European Environment Agencies, known as the EPA Network.
Welcome to the guests on behalf of KEPRA, expressed by the Chief Executive Mr. Ilir Morina. In addition to the heads of Environmental Agencies from the majority of European Union countries, Mr. Hans Bruyninckx, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, is also present at the meeting.
At the opening of the meeting, being held at the Swiss Diamond Hotel, the Special Representative of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Mr. Samuel Bogar, and the Deputy Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, Mr. Shpëtim Rudi, were also present.
On this occasion, Mr. Zhbogar, after expressing his satisfaction with the organization of this meeting in Prishtina, mentioned some of the main environmental challenges in Kosovo and the support that the European Union is providing in overcoming these challenges. Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of MMPH, Mr. Shpëtim Rudi, among other things, said that to overcome environmental challenges in Kosovo and to meet the standards and requirements in the integration and development processes, cooperation is one of the most effective forms, and that participation in regional initiatives, forums, organized networks, and in other mechanisms of regional cooperation and at the European Union level, is one of the best opportunities not only to gain new experiences but also to demonstrate our commitment to achieving the required objectives and meeting the necessary standards.
Some of the key topics being discussed at the meeting are: EU environmental legislation and policies, the green economy, EPA Network's cooperation with other EU institutions, as well as investments in the environmental sector. The meeting will continue its work during the next day, where among other things, a document on environmental cooperation at the level of Western Balkan countries will also be discussed, the drafting of which was initiated by the Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency. Other topics of discussion will include the fulfillment of objectives and the implementation of EPA Network activities, as well as the priorities planned for the upcoming period.
Otherwise, the Network of Heads of European Environment Agencies, known as the EPA Network, brings together all the leaders or directors of National Environmental Protection Agencies or similar institutions of European countries. To learn more about the organization, activities, and commitments of the EPA Network, visit the website http://epanet.ew.eea.europa.eu/. AMMK has been a member of this informal network since 2011, and currently, the CEO of AMMK, Mr. Ilir Morina, is part of the network's leading troika.