Pristina, 4 june - On 4-5 June, under the auspices of the Ministry of European Integration and the European Commission, in Prishtina is being held the meeting of the regional instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).

Minister Çollaku in his opening remark stated: “We all bear witness to unique regional developments in the Western Balkans. As never before, there is a clear and powerful will of regional cooperation, in both technical and political level. 

During April, all Western Balkans ministers gathered in Prishtina to discuss the deepening of regional cooperation and concrete projects for integration of the region. Today, it is our pleasure to host the regional IPA meeting and provide our contribution to the promotion of good regional relations in the Western Balkans”.

In his opening speech, the Head of Unit of the European Commission for Regional Cooperation and Programs, Mr. Morten Jung stated: “We welcome the renewed resolve to deepening regional cooperation based on clear local ownership and focusing on achieving concrete results for citizens and business such as improving connectivity within the region as well as with the EU.“

It is the first time that Kosovo is hosting a meeting within IPA’s regional Instrument.

This meeting is attended by the offices of the National IPA coordinators of the Western Balkans and Turkey, the Regional Cooperation Council and the European Commission. The goal of the meeting is to discuss programming of the regional projects proposed under the IPA 2016 multi-country program.

An overall indicative amount of €390 million has been allocated in 2016 to support regional actions and investments, horizontal programs and territorial cooperation.