26 September 2014
The initiative of Kosovo for the establishment of a mechanism (interest group) within the EPA Network for cooperation of Environmental Agencies of Western Balkan countries is supported.
The 23rd meeting of the EPA Network (Network of Heads of European Environmental Agencies) concluded today in Prishtina.
One of the conclusions of the meeting was to support the initiative of the Environmental Protection Agency of Kosovo, for the establishment of an Interest Group within the EPA Network to deepen cooperation among the Environmental Agencies of Western Balkan countries.
It was also emphasized that the forms of cooperation, priorities, and funding of activities that will be carried out within this group should be detailed in other meetings.
Apart from the Balkan countries, this group will also include representatives of the European Environment Agency and representatives of agencies from several European countries such as Austria, Slovakia, Italy, etc.
Among the other conclusions of the meeting, the commitment of the EPA Network within the IMPEL framework – the European Union Network for strengthening the implementation of environmental legislation – as well as the exchange of experiences with the European Commission concerning new environmental policies and especially the Horizon 2020 Strategy should also be highlighted.
Other topics discussed at the meeting included the fulfillment of objectives and the implementation of EPA Network activities as well as the priorities planned for the upcoming period.
The 24th consecutive meeting of the EPA Network is expected to be held in Latvia in March 2015.
The CEO of AMMK, Mr. Ilir Morina, will be part of the leading trio of the network until the conclusion of the next meeting.
The participants of this meeting, among other things, remain impressed with the organization of the meeting and the hospitality they have found in Kosovo.