The acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, at the first meeting of the Ministerial Council for European Integration, where the implementation of the Reform Agenda within the framework of the EU Plan for Economic Growth in the Western Balkans was discussed, also spoke about the opposition, which he accused of obstructing institutional work and the reform process.
Kurti said that the lack of a functional opposition in the Assembly is directly affecting the pace of reforms and the implementation of set deadlines.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support Contribute"The largest number of reforms would be reported completed by the end of June, if, in addition to the great and good will and serious work of our government, we would also have a serious parliamentary opposition that takes the responsibility that belongs to it in the Assembly. We are in a situation where we have an opposition that chooses not to come to the Assembly, and when it does come, it looks at which laws to block. This is truly a challenge for us as a government and a waste of time and resources for us as a state.
"It is precisely for this reason that we do not have an Assembly, we have elections, a considerable number of reforms from the growth plan will not be successfully completed within the foreseen and announced deadline. Specifically, we have 10 reforms that expire on June 30, nine of which are already at risk, causing losses of millions of euros. We are talking about 12 draft laws, for the drafting of which the relevant ministries have done extraordinary work by bringing them into line with the laws of the European Union and with European standards," he said.
He added that the blockades in the Assembly are bringing financial consequences and slowing down the process of integration into the European Union.
"So, if the assembly were to do the work that the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo voted for, not a single step would be lost. Honorable ministers, deputy ministers, honorable representatives from the independent institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, elections were unnecessary because we offered multiple solutions. Today we would have a president proposed by the opposition. They did not want to, as they clearly wanted elections at all costs. This irresponsible action is costing us not only with the loss of millions of euros from the European Union, but also with the loss of time and the slowing down of the integration process. The reforms from the Growth Plan are to accelerate the process of Kosovo's membership in the European Union, but unfortunately the blockade we are facing is to slow it down," Kurti said.
He emphasized that citizens and institutions will continue the reform process despite political obstacles.
"But the citizens, as always, will unblock the assembly and accelerate the reforms. We are working to ensure that every step that can be taken by the government is carried out. So, we are on task. And every step that requires approval in the assembly should be ready for the next session after the elections, so that the December deadline does not result in further losses. There are a total of 79 reform steps that include the period 2024-2026 with a financial value of over 579 million euros," he emphasizes. /EO