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Author: WeBalkans

EU supports the development of Kosovo; plays a crucial role in promoting dialogue and reconciliation

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“The European Union is not just a political and economic union. It is a peacebuilding project, created in the aftermath of World War II, with an aim to promote peace, stability and prosperity in Europe,” said on 9 May in Pristina the EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog, as he took part in the Europe Day celebrations activities. “It is paramount that the negotiations on normalization of relations between both Parties continue under the auspices of the EU-facilitated Dialogue and that it brings lasting solutions for the benefit of the population on the ground, all while building bridges between communities,” he added.

 

Though challenging, last year brought several breakthroughs including the visa-free travel for Kosovans in the Schengen zone as of 1 January 2024.“Unresolved issue of visa-liberalisation has been a dark cloud over the EU-Kosovo relations for the past decade, and it gives me great joy to say that as of 1 January 2024, Kosovans will no longer need visas for short-term touristic visits to the Schengen zone,” noted Szunyog, thanking Czech and Swedish Presidencies of the Council of the European Union for their contribution in this regard.

 

Another miles stone are the three IPA financing agreements signed between the EU and Kosovo, including the Energy Support Package, resulting in the EU providing to Kosovo more than EUR 200 million as direct financial assistance, just over the last several months. “The overall EU’s financial assistance provide to Kosovo under IPA, i.e. the EU’s Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, from 2007 to date, has surpassed 1.4 billion euros. It is being utilised to help Kosovo, among other, to develop its economy and infrastructure, improve education and environmental protection, and align its legislation with the EU acquis,” said Szunyog.

EU in Kosovo: 11 years old Ledion Halitaj is 2023 European of the Year

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11 years old classical guitar player Ledion Halitaj is this year’s winner of the European of the Year Award. The EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog, made this announcement last night during the Europe Day reception in Pristina, noting that Ledion is “a true role model and a beacon of hope.”This is the eighth year in a row that the EU issues the Award in Kosovo to a person that has, over the last twelve months, contributed the most to the promotion of European values.

 

While the EU Family in Kosovo proposed the nominees, it is the people of Kosovo who chose the winner, by voting on the EU in Kosovo’s social media channels. The five nominees dedicated their lives and work to empowering women in business, community affairs, and sports, promoting multiculturalism, and the active engagement of young people in Kosovo’s cultural life.

 

“It gives me great pleasure to be giving 2023 European of the Year Award to the young Ledion Halitaj. The fact that most Kosovans voted for him in a competition with Ms Đorić, Ms Jashari, Mr Kuka, and Mr Syla, proves that the society looks forward to its young generation to take the country forward, and the EU will be here to support them in advancing Kosovo on its EU integration path,” said Ambassador Szunyog. “I also want to acknowledge this and previous years’ winners and nominees for the Award for their contribution to making Kosovo a better place to live in,” he added.

 

The text of Ledion Halitaj’s online nomination read: Ledion (11) is a talented and well-known classical guitarist. Within two years, he won 15 awards at international festivals in Kosovo and across Europe, as well as four public awards. He won his first prize at the International Guitar Festival in Transylvania, Romania, when he was only nine. Ledion has also done a master class with world-class guitarists and is an example for all other young and aspiring musicians.

Europe Day in BiH – Always in the Heart of Europe

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“Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the heart of Europe” is the powerful message resonating across Bosnia and Herzegovina, in celebration of the longstanding ties between the EU and BiH, on the first Europe Day BiH’s is celebrating as an EU candidate country. Numerous heritage sites across the country were illuminated with the EU flag – Kastel in Banja Luka, Stari Most in Mostar, the Old Fortress in Travnik, Jajce Waterfall, and Brčko’s City Hall – as beacons of our common heritage and values, representing unity.

 

In Sarajevo, thousands of citizens gathered by the Eternal Flame, in front the EU’s new centre for events, discussions and exhibitions for the public – Europe House. It was a celebration to remember with energetic performances by Helem Nejse, Zoster, Laka and Lela, Aida Aršić Mušanović, Marija Šestić and Nedim Bašić. The audience was welcomed by Ambassador Johann Sattler, Head of the Delegation of the EU to BiH and EU Special Representative in BiH, and Sarajevo City Mayor Benjamina Karić, who joined a joyful audience of diplomats, local officials, cultural representatives and youth, in underlining that BiH’s place is in the EU.

 

“On Europe Day, we remember the importance of choosing partnership over enmity, diversity over intolerance, compromise over stalemate, and alliance over isolation. We must fight for a more secure future, a more united future, a more just future. A future for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans in the European Union,” emphasised Ambassador Sattler during his speech in Europe House, reminding the audience of the powerful symbolism of the Eternal Flame building being home to Sarajevo’s new Europe House – “Here, outside this building, the Eternal Flame burns, commemorating all those who died as a result of the inhumanity of fascism and Europe’s descent into the savagery of World World II. It is therefore fitting that it should also be the home of Sarajevo’s new Europe House. The EU is more than anything a project for peace. 73 years ago today, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman made his famous Declaration that war on our continent should not only be unthinkable but materially impossible. Out of Schuman’s Declaration, the EU was born. It is this, as well as the victory of human values over the darkness of fascism, that we celebrate on Europe Day.”

 

Activities are organised by the European Union in BiH across the country. Cultural, educational, informative and entertaining activities for all ages are being implemented with the citizens and for the citizens, while we underline our connections through good, and through respect and dedication to a more prosperous tomorrow for future generations.

EIB Vice-President reiterates support for sustainable key infrastructure investments, helping Kosovo build a resilient economy

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During the visit of an EIB Global delegation to Pristina, European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President Lilyana Pavlova reaffirmed the EU bank’s commitment to supporting Kosovo* in line with EU priorities and the objectives of the EU Global Gateway strategy. At the core of the Bank’s effort is the acceleration of the green transition, sustainable connectivity and digital transformation.

 

The EIB Vice-President held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Minister of Finance, Labour and Transfers Hekuran Murati and the Head of EU Office in Kosovo Tomáš Szunyog to discuss how the Bank can contribute towards a more resilient economy via EIB Global, its arm focusing on activities outside the European Union. She underlined support for the development of sustainable transport infrastructure, renewable energy projects, water and wastewater infrastructure, as well as resilient education and health systems.

 

n 2022, EIB Global provided €2.1 million in grants in the form of technical assistance to get new projects off the ground in the areas of energy efficiency in the heating sector and the higher education. More recently, the EU bank provided a €38 million loan for the rehabilitation of the 148 km Route 10 railway line, bringing financial support for the modernisation of Kosovo’s railways to €80 million. Going forward, the Bank intends to contribute to the transition to a low-carbon economy by supporting the development of a 100 MW solar power plant in the Obiliq area, as well as to strengthening connectivity by supporting sustainable transport infrastructure.

 

Since 2020, the EIB has unlocked €108.8 million under the Team Europe initiative to facilitate Kosovo’s social and economic recovery. The funds were allocated to the railway sector, small and medium enterprises, and the construction of wastewater plants in Mitrovica and Gjilan.

YEAs at Europe Day 2023 in Brussels

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Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from the Western Balkans were invited to participate in this year’s Europe Day celebration event in Brussels, Belgium, alongside other YEAs from the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood and Southern Neighbourhood. A total of twelve Young European Ambassadors from the Western Balkans had the opportunity to interact with their peers and officials from the EU and neighbouring regions, as well as take part in various events.

 

The YEAs engaged in discussions with different units within the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), allowing them to gain insights into the projects and areas of focus within DG NEAR. Furthermore, they had the chance to meet fellow YEAs from the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood and Southern Neighbourhood. Additionally, they visited the College of Europe University in Brugge, where they engaged in discussions with the university’s rector, Ms Federica Mogherini, regarding the role of youth and academia. On the final day of the activities, they organized a range of diverse events during the Open Day in Berlaymont, showcasing the Western Balkans region in a creative manner.

MADE OF US campaign reaches Bosnia and Herzegovina today

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“Made of Us – An EU-Western Balkans road trip” campaign, funded by the EU and brought to you by WeBalkans, continues this week in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  This awareness campaign aims to promote a positive image of the EU to the people of the Western Balkans, and vice versa. Its protagonists are 12 young EU and Western Balkan vloggers who travel across the region in pairs. Each of the pairs share their experiences along the way by creating their own online content.

 

The EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted a media brunch today to announce the start of the journey in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Aurelie Valtat, Acting Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to BiH and Patrik Turosik, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul, Embassy of Slovakia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, welcomed the vloggers and commended them for their contribution to the promotion of the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

The vloggers, Milos Kuzmanović (@miloskuzmanov1c) from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Simona Gavalcová (@vecinko) from Slovakia, set off on their journey today. They will be on the road for a total of seven days between 9 and 15 May, showcasing the best of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as EU investments in the region. They will visit various locations, including the historic city of Travnik, human rights related projects, and tourism businesses supported by the EU.  They will be visiting the EU-prize awarded War Childhood Museum, a museum exclusively dedicated to the experience of growing up affected by war, and among the EU-funded projects, The Old Rail Trail, a project that includes establishment of a bike trail on the route of the old railway and the Encijan rafting camp which sits in the Tara River, one of the most beautiful rivers found in the Western Balkans.

 

The campaign started on 18 April and will continue until 30 May, with each week focusing on one of the WB6 partners. The vloggers will visit a total of 18 EU-supported projects, travel more than 6000 km and meet interesting and inspiring local personalities along the way, all the while showcasing the natural scenery, extraordinary landmarks and unique cultural heritage that the Western Balkans have to offer. The twelve vloggers will record their experiences using their own equipment and social media channels, translating the journey into high-quality social media and web content, photos and videos, which will be disseminated on the WeBalkans channels.

 

Don’t miss the highlights of this exciting journey – start following WeBalkans and the 12 EU and Western Balkan vloggers on Instagram now!

Revitalizing Albania’s Iconic Venetian Tower

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EU-funded Project Transforms Venetian Tower into a Multimedia Interpretation Center

The Venetian Tower is a remarkable historical defensive structure located in Durrës, Albania. It forms a part of the Byzantine fortress of Durrës, which was renowned for being one of the most powerful fortresses on the west coast of the Adriatic Sea. The current fortress is a product of the earliest construction campaigns by Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I (491–518), who hailed from Durrës, also known as ancient Dyrrhachium. The Venetian tower, constructed during the XV century, was built on top of the remains of the Byzantine tower and was armed with cannons to defend the city against maritime attacks. The tower was designed specifically for artillery and functioned as an essential observation point for the surrounding area.

This magnificent cultural heritage monument and city landmark suffered damage in the 2019 earthquake but has since undergone restoration with the support of the EU4Culture Project. The project was financed by the EU and executed by UNOPS in close cooperation with Albania’s Ministry of Culture. The restoration works, which involved multimedia equipment, were budgeted at €700,000. Furthermore, an additional EURO €300,000 was invested in developing multimedia content.

“There was no intervention on this monument for years, and the damage caused by the earthquake deteriorated the situation further. The monument would be seriously endangered without this intervention made with the support of the EU.”

Alban Ramohitaj, the Director of Durres Museum Center, explains that the 2019 earthquake caused significant damage to the Venetian Tower, both on the interior and exterior of the building. “There was no intervention on this monument for years, and the damage caused by the earthquake deteriorated the situation further. The monument would be seriously endangered without this intervention made with the support of the EU,” says Alban.

Lejla Hadzic, a Cultural Heritage Advisor at the EU4Culture project, notes that while there were no major structural problems with the tower, conservation work was necessary. “We removed all the additions that were in inappropriate materials or materials that were not compatible with the historical fabric and replaced them with the materials that are compatible and more in the vocabulary of the traditional materials and techniques that were used when the tower was initially built,” says Lejla.

In addition to conservation work, the EU4Culture project also contributed to the promotion and technological advancement of the tower. With the project’s support, the Venetian Tower has been transformed into a state-of-the-art Heritage Interpretation Center. This centre provides visitors with the opportunity to explore historical events and places through various digital and multimedia tools, such as VR headsets, digital periscopes, dome multimedia projections, and other activities that combine entertainment with a more in-depth look at the city’s ancient history.

“However, when properly utilized, restored monuments not only remain well-maintained but also serve as income generators for the cultural heritage sector.”

About the project

The EU4Culture project is funded by the European Union (EU) and is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in close partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Albania. It focuses on renovation and revitalization of major cultural heritage sites damaged by the earthquake and represents one of the largest cultural heritage programmes funded by the European Union with a total budget of € 40 million.

According to conservation professionals, it is crucial that restored buildings are put to use in order to ensure their upkeep. In countries where cultural budgets are limited, neglected monuments are likely to fall into disrepair due to insufficient maintenance. “However, when properly utilized, restored monuments not only remain well-maintained but also serve as income generators for the cultural heritage sector,” says Lejla.

Lejla goes on to explain that prior to the restoration work, entry tickets were not available for the Venetian Tower. However, since the interventions, all three sites supported by the EU4 Culture Project in Durres – the Hamam, Archaeological Museum, and Venetian Tower – shall introduce entry tickets for visitors, thus contributing directly to the cultural heritage budget.

25 refugee families receive keys to new RHP homes in Serbia

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In a picturesque part of the city of Čačak in Serbia, near the banks of the river Morava, keys to 25 newly-built Regional Housing Programme (RHP) apartments were delivered to refugee families on 27 April.

 

In addition to the beneficiaries themselves, the ceremony was attended by Nataša Stanisavljević, Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia; Gerhard Salzer, Programme Manager at the European Union Delegation to Serbia; Milun Todorović, Mayor of Čačak, and Dušan Kovačević, Head of the Public Sector Projects Implementation Unit Ltd., amongst others.

 

Congratulating the beneficiaries on their new homes, Commissioner Stanisavljević also proudly shared the achievements of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia (KIRS) with regard to the delivery of new housing units under the RHP: “In the coming weeks, we will gradually exceed the number of 7 000 families accommodated,” she said.

 

Gerhard Salzer, Programme Manager at the European Union Delegation to Serbia, underlined the importance of EU support for the RHP. “The EU has been supporting these activities for years to provide housing solutions for more than 30 000 people who lost their homes during the 1990’s conflicts in former Yugoslavia. The Regional Housing Programme helps to overcome the legacy of the past and open a new chapter in people’s lives,” he said.

€3 million project Perform Europe 2 to make sustainable touring a reality

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The Perform Europe consortium will be responsible for allocating 70% of the EU funding to at least 35 artistic projects through cascading grants. The project supports cross-border touring and digital distribution of performing art works and will run for 36 months in participating countries of the Creative Europe programme. Perform Europe is the EU’s response to the fact that the performing arts sector was among the worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. It follows the Perform Europe pilot project, a €2.25 million grant which ran between 2020-2022.

 

The cascading grants will be granted through an open Call to the most relevant and exemplary projects that reposition the cross-border touring and digital distribution in a more sustainable, inclusive, fair and innovative way. Perform Europe will also support inclusion, diversity, gender equality, the environment and the fight against climate change.The eligible sub-sectors are theatre, dance, performance, circus, outdoor arts and puppetry sectors (live music excluded).

 

An online platform will facilitate networking and matchmaking, collect data, explore, map and analyse how performing arts works are presented across borders and bring visibility to performing and distribution opportunities and be a repository of learning tools.

Here are the winners of the 2023 European Union Prize for Literature

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The jury of the European Union Prize of Literature (EUPL) have announced the laureates of 2023 edition of the prize at the Leipzig Book Fair. For the 2023 edition, emerging authors from 13 countries had been nominated by their country. An international jury composed of 7 literary personalities have announced the winner of the Grand prix on 28 April, at the Leipzig Book Fair.

 

Martina Vidaić, from Croatia is the winner of the 2023 edition of the EU Prize for Literature. The 5 authors who have received a mention are: Maud Simonnot from France, Ag Apolloni from Kosovo, Iida Rauma from Finland, Tõnis Tootsen from Estonia and Χάρη Ν. Σπανού (Hari N. Spanou) from Cyprus.

 

All nominated authors will be continuously promoted at European level. This will help them reach a wider and more international audience, as well as connect with readers beyond their national and linguistic borders. The 2023 selection displays a great variety of languages, countries stories, and voices. It is a perfect illustration of what EU and creative Europe stand for: openness and support to cultural and linguistic diversity within and beyond EU.