Albania Strives Towards EU-Integration
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
news REGION MAGAZINE OF THE INSTITUTE OF THE REGIONS OF EUROPE • 49 / JULY 2018 Some progress in the fight against corruption and in judicial reform Albania strives towards EU-Integration 3 Cultural 12 Local self- 14 Local and Heritage: government in Kosovo: municipal elections: International IRE- Expert Meeting with Deputy Prime Great Britain and Conference in Novi Sad, Minister Enver Hoxhaj in Schleswig-Holstein Vojvodina Brussels FOCUS IRE-Expert Conference Cultural Heritage Sebastian Kurz Austrian Federal Chancellor 2nd International IRE- Expert Conference A Europe that protects “Cultural Heritage – Added value Many of us have come to take for granted the benefits of the mediate neighbours. In this context, and according to Austria’s European Union – a common currency, travelling in a Europe European and foreign policy, we have traditionally been sup- for the Regions of Europe“ without borders, being able to study or work in every country of porting the Western Balkan countries’ path to EU membership. the European Union. Moreover, the European Union has been In terms of economic and security policy, this region of Europe is the guarantor of peace in Europe for over 60 years. part of our continent, and has repeatedly proven to be a reliable Common European Cultural Heritage in the Western Balkans – International IRE Conference in cooperation partner during the migration crisis. During its presidency, Aus- In the second half of this year and for the third time, Austria will with the appointment of the City of Novi Sad as European Capital of Culture 2021. tria will work to give concrete shape to the EU perspective of all assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Western Balkan countries and to achieve measurable progress Under the motto ‘A Europe that protects’, we are committed in that respect. to re-strengthening the trust in the EU and to ensure that the Union is capable of fulfilling its tasks. In order to achieve this The approach Austria is choosing consists in strengthening For the second time, the Institute of the Regions of continue to preserve Europe‘s cultural diversity“, said objective, Austria’s approach will be built on the reinforcement our regions and the principle of subsidiarity. What is nee- Europe (IRE) organized, under the direction of former IRE-Chairman Franz Schausberger, opening the con- of the principle of subsidiarity - in terms of ‘doing less, but more ded is a European Union with an enhanced focus on the major Governor Univ. Prof. Dr. Franz Schausberger, on the ference. The former Governor of Salzburg also poin- efficiently’. In this context, the regions play a key role. issues such as foreign, security and defence policy, protection 27th of April 2018 a conference on „Cultural heritage ted out that a common European culture can only be of the EU’s external borders, competitiveness and digitalisati- – Added value for the Regions“ on the occasion of achieved if it is based on a specific regional cultural For its upcoming presidency Austria has identified three priority on. Where issues can be better resolved by individual Member the nomination of the City of Novi Sad (Serbia) as Eu- identity. Above all, cultural heritage should be the areas: States or regions themselves, the Union should take a step back. ropean Capital of Culture 2021. In cooperation with foundation of a European vision for prosperity. the Central European Initiative (CEI), the City of Novi Security and migration, maintaining competitiveness When we talk about cultural heritage, we do not only This approach aims to take into account the motto of the Eu- Sad and the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, the through digitalisation and stability in the neighbourhood. talk about the past, but also talk about preserving ropean Union, ‘United in Diversity’. To that effect, the Aus- conference took place in the Regional Parliament of the culture of today and tomorrow. It is about „values Europe must be able to protect its citizens. It is therefore impor- trian Presidency will prioritise the protective role of the EU. By AP Vojvodina, highlighting the great importance of of the past that we transfer into the future to preser- tant to create a resilient union that is capable to take action and strengthening the element subsidiarity, the goal is to bring Eu- cultural heritage for all European cities and regions, ve the heritage of our culture, including cross-border in which efficient protection of external borders is guaranteed. rope closer to its citizens and make it more transparent. Citizens but above all for the candidate countries. cooperation and the conditions of cohesion, if these In this context, one of the highlights of the presidency will be the of all Member States should have the opportunity to become Cultural heritage has an important value for all re- circumstances are not ensured we cannot preserve informal meeting of the heads of state and government, which even more actively involved in shaping EU-policy in future. gions, cities, communities and societies. The pre- the cultural heritage“, said the President of the Regi- will take place in Salzburg on the 20th of September. The presidency of the Council of the European Union will give servation and salvation of cultural heritage is an onal Parliament of AP Vojvodina, István Pásztor, in From left to right: Digitalisation is becoming increasingly important for growth Austria the opportunity to achieve tangible results in significant important emotional criterion for Serbia‘s EU inte- his speech. In addition, he emphasized the diversity Franz Schausberger, and innovation. An intelligent policy for the digital transforma- matters. To do so, Austria will act as an honest broker in order gration, and forms the core for the common Euro- of cultural heritage as it encompasses various terri- Paul-Henri Presset, tion of the economy and society will enable us to continue to sa- to attain strong and sustainable solutions. Maintaining and pean cultural heritage by strengthening its regional tories, multiculturalism and inherited culture. The Johannes Irschick, feguard the competitiveness and sustainability of the European strengthening the unity of the Member States is of fundamental identity. „By cultivating our cultural heritage, we can ability to understand a common interest, regardless István Pásztor, single market in the future. To ensure that the digital economy importance here. As a Member State in the heart of Europe, Aus- Dragana Milošević can develop its full potential, a modern and balanced regulato- tria will attach particular importance to its traditional role as a and Dalibor Rožić ry framework is required. In addition to that, we plan to support bridge-builder and gathering place for international dialogue a large-scale modernisation-process of public administration and mediation. and the renewal of the European industrial policy, making them I would like to thank the Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE) more responsive to the challenges of digitalisation. Innovation for their support. ‘Newsregion’ will make a significant contri- power is primarily found in regional areas, where particularly bution to providing additional information about the way in SMEs strengthen our competitiveness. which the European Union works and to bringing Europe closer Stability, security and peace in the European Union are only to you, enabling us to strengthen the existing bridges and conti- possible if stability and security also prevail among the EU’s im- nue to build new ones with neighbours and partners. 2 newsregion 49 / july18 newsregion 49 / july18 3 FOCUS FOCUS IRE-Expert Conference Cultural Heritage IRE-Expert Conference Cultural Heritage From left: Asja Drača Muntean, Boran Ivanoski, Adrian Tibu, Bosko Negovanovic (Moderator), Katarina Živanović and Ketrina Çabiri Mijo From left: Dimitrije Tadić, Leylya Strobl, Bosko Negovanovic (Moderator), Mina Radmilović Pjevac, Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski, Marija Budimir, of political directions, should be at the center of the heritage for generations to come. The EU supports and above all stable projects. „In Albania, cultural Tomislav Paljak, Milan Popadić and Nemanja Milenkovic daily process of perception. This is an example of the cultural heritage and social cohesion in Serbia. goods are not limited to castles, but are extended to city of Novi Sad‘s claim to be a pioneer when it co- f.e. churches“. For this reason, a common understan- Regarding regional policy and social cohesion, Jo- mes to carefully and actively shaping its future. ding of what culture means should be developed. hannes Irschick, Director of the Austrian Cultural In Serbia, and especially in the city of Novi Sad, many Forum of the Austrian Embassy in Belgrade, focuses Boran Ivanoski (NALAS program officer for the Su- ethnic groups live in harmony. Dalibor Rožić (Mem- on joint regional projects for the preservation and stainable Tourism Task Force in Skopje, Macedonia) ber of the City Council for Culture) emphasized at promotion of regional cultural heritage. „It cannot goes one step further, stressing that „good coope- Ideas and innovations, based on the the conference that Novi Sad also promotes „univer- only foster our mutual understanding of supraregio- ration at local and regional government level is im- international concept of human rights, are sal, lasting and shared values“. The Novi Sad Cultural nal heritage, but also local and tourism development Dragana Milošević, portant to promote, among other things, tourism. essential for the protection of cultural heritage.“ Administration supports projects of national minori- and to initiate regional projects requires common Above all, this would bring social, economic and en- Provincial Secretary Leylya Strobl, Board Member of the Austrian Blue Shield Committee ties aimed at preserving their traditions and cultures, strategies and funding mechanisms“, said the direc- for Culture, Public vironmental effects“, says Ivanoski. For this purpose, while promoting initiatives for the recognition and tor. Information NALAS offers position papers on concrete measures “ emphasis of the common.