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How can we make regional cooperation?
Regional cooperation is one of the hot issues recently in Balkans, especially after the meeting held by the governments of Kosovo and Albania which turned out to be a concrete project. On this subject Rubikon on KTV, Kosovo, attributed a special program to the regional cooperation. The panelists were Mr. Adrian Shehu, President of AGREEI and Mrs. Shqipe Pantina board member of AGREEI, Mr. Fatmir Besimi Vice Prime Minister of Macedonia, Mr. Petrit Selimi, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, and Professor Bekim Baliqi who is a lecturer at the University of Political Sciences in Prishtina. Representatives of AGREEI, Mr. Adrian Shehu and Mrs. Shqipe Pantina expressed their approach. Both of them argued that AGREEI as an NGO aims to promote regional cooperation through the creation of Benelux for Balkans among Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Macedonia. Mr. Shehu pointed out that it is important for these countries to cooperate because an integrated marked can trigger more foreign investments which can be converted in more jobs and prosperity for the citizens of four countries. To make this happen he added that it is important to sign a mutual treaty or agreement among Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro which specifies the details and modalities of the cooperation for economic and EU integration. Mrs. Shqipe Pantina added that there is also necessary to create a common secretariat which observes the agreements among the countries in order that they can be respected. She also said that the main aim of the cooperation is European integration of the Balkans, but this objective can not be seen as a final, since the main aim is to guarantee prosperity for citizens of the region. The Vice Prime Minister of Macedonia, Mr. Fatmir Besimi appreciates and welcomes any type of regional or bilateral cooperation which influences positive relations between Balkan countries and considered the meeting of the two governments of Albania and Kosovo as a chance to advance and make further progress. As the voice of the government of Kosovo, Mr. Petrit Selimi also expressed the necessity of regional cooperation through concrete projects. He finished the conversation by considering positive all initiatives which goal is to push toward progress. It is important to emphasize the fact that it is of ‘common sense’ that regional cooperation is an important step toward the prosperity and the way to European integration for Balkans, but it also a positive element for AGREEI as an NGO that promotes and lobby in favor of concrete initiatives. AGREEI is already a known actor and is becoming a strong voice in regional cooperation. It is influenced by successful models such as Benelux, Nordic Council and Visegrad Group. |
AGREEI Meeting with the President of the Republic of Kosovo
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AGREEI Meeting with the President of the Republic of Kosovo
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On July 6 the Board of AGREEI composed of President Adrian Shehu and members Günther Fehlinger, Blerim Reka and Shqipe Pantina, was welcomed in Prishtina by the President of the Republic of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga. |
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This meeting which took place in a friendly environment aimed at presenting AGREEI, the Balkan Benelux concept and the ways in which this concept might be applied in the case of the four Southern Balkans countries: Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro. An analysis of the actual situation of the SB countries as well as of the advantages that the implementation of this concept would bring to each of them was made. Among to these advantages belong: the creation of a bigger common market for products and services of companies from these countries, a better coordination in potential cases of the common development of infrastructural projects which strengthen the independent position of the countries in the region as well as a better integration in the European infrastructure, and a coordinated management of the efforts for a faster integration in the European Union and Euro-Atlantic community. Regular communication with the office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo will be established as result of this meeting to exchange information on latest developments related to AGREEI and the Balkan Benelux concept.
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Albania and Kosovo attend the first intergovernal meeting
For the first time since the League of Prizren, the governments of Albania and Kosovo organized on 11th of January 2014, a meeting which signs an important step forward for the collaboration between Tirana and Prishtina. Mr. Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania opened hic speech bringing in mind the model of Benelux as a successful, positive and an inspiring initiative which should lead and enhance further economic collaboration between Albania and Kosovo as well as their role in Balkans as factors of peace and stability. Mr. Hashim Thaci explained that the meeting which is oriented toward the Albanian and Kosovo integration in the European Union since both countries have the same objectives is based on the French – German model of cooperation. Both heads of governments argued that this initiative aim economic, diplomatic and cultural cooperation which mean that none of the governments is looking for any change of borders in the Balkans. This meeting constitutes an important contribution to further development of AGREEI that promotes regional integration based on European models such as Benelux itself for free movement of goods, services, capital and people. AGREEI is an ambitious project which aims a broad cooperation among Balkan countries without changing borders. Closer cooperation among Balkan countries creates the possibility for stronger economic development. The meeting of the two governments creates an important symbolic event which will be followed by other concrete projects to be decided during the next meeting in June 2014. |
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AGREEI Meeting with the President of the Republic of Kosovo
On July 6 the Board of AGREEI composed of President Adrian Shehu and members Günther Fehlinger, Blerim Reka and Shqipe Pantina, was welcomed in Prishtina by the President of the Republic of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga. This meeting which took place in a friendly environment aimed at presenting AGREEI, the Balkan Benelux concept and the ways in which this concept might be applied in the case of the four Southern Balkans countries: Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro.
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An analysis of the actual situation of the SB countries as well as of the advantages that the implementation of this concept would bring to each of them was made. Among to these advantages belong: the creation of a bigger common market for products and services of companies from these countries, a better coordination in potential cases of the common development of infrastructural projects which strengthen the independent position of the countries in the region as well as a better integration in the European infrastructure, and a coordinated management of the efforts for a faster integration in the European Union and Euro-Atlantic community. Regular communication with the office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo will be established as result of this meeting to exchange information on latest developments related to AGREEI and the Balkan Benelux concept. |