Republika e Kosovës Republika Kosova - Republic of Kosovo Qeveria –Vlada-Government Zyra e Kryeministrit - Ured Premijera - Office of the Prime Minister Government Annual Work Report for 2016 February, 2016 Prishtina 1 Table of contents Executive summary ..................................................................................................................................... 3 IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PRIORITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT ................................ 7 - Sustainable Economic Development, Employment and Welfare.................................................. 7 - Rule of Law and Justice ................................................................................................................... 12 - European Agenda and foreign policy ............................................................................................. 13 - Education, Science, Culture, Sports and Youth Development .................................................... 14 - Modern healthcare ............................................................................................................................. 16 IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTOR PRIORITIES ................................................................................... 17 - OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER ........................................................................................... 17 - MINISTRY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION............................................................................ 26 - MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION .............................................. 31 - MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ........................................... 35 - MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ................... 40 - MINISTRY OF JUSTICE ................................................................................................................ 43 - MINISTRY OF DIASPORA ........................................................................................................... 44 - MINISTRY OF FINANCE ............................................................................................................. 48 - MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCES.............................................................. 53 - MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE ........................................................................................... 60 - MINISTRY OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION ........................................................................... 63 - MINISTRY FOR DIALOGUE ....................................................................................................... 66 - MINISTRY FOR COMMUNITY AND RETURN ...................................................................... 71 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE, YOUTH AND SPORTS .................................................................. 75 - MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND SPATIAL PLANNNING.......................................... 81 - MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS ......................................................................................... 84 - MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ............................................................................................ 85 - MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE ................................................................ 89 - MINISTRY OF HEALTH - ............................................................................................................ 93 - MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY .................................................................................. 95 - MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ......................................................................... 99 Annex 1: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ANNUAL PLAN OF STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS FOR 2016 101 Annex 2: IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PROGRAMME FOR 2016 .............................. 109 Annex 3: PROCESS OF PREPARING CONCEPT PAPERS .......................................................... 111 2 Executive summary The Government of the Republic of Kosovo has prepared the Government Annual Work Report for the purpose of presenting the achievements that took place during 2016, and provides information for Assembly of Kosovo, donors and citizens in general about its achievements. This comprehensive report aims to highlight the achieved progress in implementing the Government's priorities, with particular emphasis on the progress achieved during 2016. In this regard, this report has as reference point the Government Programme of the Republic of Kosovo, in the light of which are outlined five strategic priorities set forth for 2016. In addition, the Annual Report is a mean for communicating the achievements, dedication, commitment and determination of the government in fulfilling the duties and obligations with the aim of enhancing the citizens' wellbeing in general by undertaking the necessary actions within its competences. In order to achieve progress and provide a development trend for the country, it is necessary to ensure political and institutional stability, and in this context it is clear that all can contribute even more in achieving the predefined objectives, and those that the Government of Republic of Kosovo shall set for the following years. During 2016, Government has been working in realization of 5 priorities which are also the pillars of the Government Programme 2015-2018; Sustainable economic growth, employment and welfare, Rule of Law and Justice, European agenda and foreign policy; Education, Science, Culture, Sport and Youth Development and Modern Healthcare. This report will present the concrete achievements of the Government of Republic of Kosovo during this period. Government of the Republic of Kosovo has achieved extraordinary success, not only regarding the encountered situation, but also towards the challenges that have accompanied this Government during 2016. Kosovo's economic growth was marked as the highest in the region for two consecutive years, during this year, Kosovo had the highest budget in its history, with over 2 billion Euros, marked a record reduction of unemployment from 35% that was in 2014 to 26% in 2016, signed the SAA, marked progress in fulfilling the criteria and obtaining recommendations for visa liberalization, in obtaining the telephone code, implemented the largest increase of pensions and social support that has ever occurred from 25% to 70% for pensions, in addressing the issue of veterans, which was resolved after 17 years, membership in UEFA and FIFA, highest international assessment from IMF and World Bank regarding macroeconomic stability and budgetary stability. Kosovo has also demonstrated institutional and state stability and political leadership to prevent the immersion of country into chaos and anarchy. In the field of economy were marked tangible results, which were assessed by the international organizations and verified with real positive data. In the field of finances, we have great results in fiscal reforms, which resulted in improving the conditions of doing business, which were highly assessed by the World Bank report for 2016 in two indicators. 3 In the field of economic development, it is adopted the Law on Trepça, which was highly anticipated from our miners and citizens, and opened up opportunities for development of this vital enterprise for the economy of Kosovo and it is intensively working on preparing the establishment of the Thermal power plant "Kosova e Re". In agriculture it is significantly increased the support for farmers and were achieved significant results in the quantity and quality of domestic products. It is increased the consumption of domestic products, were increased the planted area due to the increased interest of farmers to deal with agriculture, because it was proven to be very important field for us. In infrastructure it is intensively being worked on completion of the road to Skopje, as an important economic artery, work is being conducted on the highway to Peja, to Mitrovica, and we plan to commence the work for building the highway to Gjilan and Podujeva. All preparations were made for commencing the reconstruction of the railway, in expanding the entry and exit points in the largest cities of Kosovo. In Trade and Industry as a result of great work, World Bank has ranked Kosovo in the "Doing Business 2017" report significantly higher and we consider that the measures undertaken by this ministry will further advance Kosovo in the future. In foreign policy we have strengthened Kosovo's international subjectivity in many aspects. We received recognition from Suriname and Singapore, have established diplomatic relations, joined several international organizations and conventions. We are now a member of UEFA, FIFA, were accepted at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, entered into force the Apostille Convention, also the Ministry of Internal Affairs has signed an agreement with the European Agency FRONTEX. We have conducted several bilateral visits and participated in multilateral forums in several continents. We have met the main leaders of the democratic world, President Barack Obama, Secretary Kerry, new and previous Secretary of United Nations, we have met kings, presidents, prime ministers and heads of international organizations and with all of them have discussed about cooperation with Kosovo and advancement of our relations. In European integration, we have advanced the integration agenda. In Brussels we have conducted the first meeting of the Council for Implementation of SAA, which was a very important meeting for