The Government held its 218th meeting today, where the following decisions were made:
Approval of the Draft Law on Mandatory Health Insurance: Our goal is to invest in healthcare services and guarantee public health insurance to improve quality of life. The approval of the Draft Law on Health Insurance is a realization of our commitment as outlined in the National Development Strategy 2030 and the Government Program. This law aims to provide better social protection to those in need, helping to reduce poverty and inequalities. By approving this draft law, we are fulfilling another commitment of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. The Health Insurance Draft Law will contribute to the preservation and advancement of health, and consequently to the well-being of all people living in Kosovo, by reducing poverty and inequality caused by healthcare expenses.
Approval of the Minimum Wage Proposal: The Government has approved the proposal from the Ministry of Finance, Labour, and Transfers to set the minimum wage in the Republic of Kosovo at 2.00 € (two euros) per hour of regular work, or 350.00 € (three hundred and fifty euros) gross per month for full-time work. This decision will take effect from October 1, 2024. The decision requires the Ministry of Finance, Labour, and Transfers, the Kosovo Tax Administration, and the Labour Inspectorate to implement it. This new minimum wage will affect over 150,000 employees who currently earn less than 350 euros per month. This measure is another step in the various actions the government has taken to improve the well-being of its citizens.
Government Opinion on Legislative Initiative for the Amendment of the Law on Vehicles: In response to the request of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, the Government of Kosovo has provided an opinion on the legislative initiative for the “Draft Law on the Amendment and Supplementation of Law No.05/L-132 on Vehicles.” The initiative aims to amend and supplement the Law on Vehicles to create a regulatory framework that aligns with EU standards. It is assessed that from a budgetary impact perspective, the Draft Law will not incur additional costs for the State Budget of the Republic of Kosovo.
Approval of the Manual for the Consolidation of Legal Acts: Through this Manual, institutions will benefit from easier and faster access to our legislation. The consolidation of legal acts contributes to a more functional, reliable, and accessible legal system. The goal of consolidating legal acts is to centralize and unify the current legal text with amendments and supplements into a single, coherent document.
Decision to Allocate Land for the Construction of the “Kosovo Residential Center for Autism, Down Syndrome, and Disabilities for Children, Adults, and the Elderly”: This initiative aims to improve the quality of life and provide a safe and stimulating environment for those who need special care and support throughout their lives. The construction of this complex is an important step towards inclusion and contributing to building a more equitable and just society.
Approval of the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure’s Request for Budget Transfer: Approval of the request for the transfer of budgetary funds up to 25% of the negatively affected allocation for 2024 for fulfilling expropriation obligations.
Request for Presidential Authorization for Justice Minister to Sign the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Agreement with Sweden: The Republic of Kosovo has deepened and advanced partnerships with various European and global states. This point proposes further strengthening bilateral relations in the field of justice with Sweden, as Kosovo is the first state in the Western Balkans to sign a new agreement in this area with Sweden.
Request for Presidential Authorization for Justice Minister to Sign the Extradition Agreement with Sweden: The Republic of Kosovo and Sweden have agreed to advance cooperation in the field of extraditions between the two countries.
Request for Presidential Authorization for Justice Minister to Sign the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement with Sweden: Based on Kosovo’s commitment to European values and bilateral cooperation, this agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons with Sweden is part of the three agreements proposed with Sweden.
Approval of the Grant Agreement Proposal for the “Solid Waste Management Program II – Support for KMDK”: Approval of the grant agreement between the Republic of Kosovo, represented by the Ministry of Finance, Labour, and Transfers, and KfW, Frankfurt am Main, and the Kosovo Waste Management Company (KMDK).
Approval of the Grant Agreement Proposal for the “Solid Waste Management Program II – Expansion of the Pejë Landfill”: Approval of the grant agreement between the Republic of Kosovo, represented by the Ministry of Finance, Labour, and Transfers, and KfW, Frankfurt am Main, and the Kosovo Waste Management Company (KMDK).
Approval of the Draft Concept Document for “Agricultural Cooperatives”: This draft concept document includes a detailed description of the policy and existing legal framework. It also identifies issues that have hindered the fair and sustainable management of Agricultural Cooperatives.
Approval of the Request from the Kosovo Privatization Agency for the Return of Transferred Funds: Approval of the request for the return of transferred funds amounting to 106,088.20 € from the State Budget of the Republic of Kosovo to the account of the Public Enterprise “Theranda,” to ensure sufficient funds for credit requirements and liquidation expenses according to the priorities set in Article 40 of the Annex of Law No. 04/L-034 on the Kosovo Privatization Agency.
Approval of the Proposal to Appoint the Ad-hoc Commission for the Admission of Senior Executive Positions: Approval of the proposal to appoint the Ad-hoc Commission for the Admission of Senior Executive Positions: General (Executive) Director at the Free Legal Aid Agency.
Approval of the Proposal to Nominate a Student Member to the State Quality Council of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency: This proposal stems from the criteria that the Kosovo Accreditation Agency must meet to become a full member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and the European Register for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (EQAR). Appointing a student member to this Council ensures alignment with European standards for quality assurance in higher education.
Approval of the Proposal for the 31st Round of Technical Assistance Grants of the Western Balkans Investment Framework: The call for this round opened on July 2, and the final deadline for submissions is September 6 of this year. Following receipt of proposals from line institutions and subsequent consultations, the Strategic Planning Commission supported the list of applications. The list includes two projects from the digital infrastructure sector, presented by the Ministry of Economy, and two from the environment sector, presented by the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure.
Approval of the Extension of the Diaspora Registration Deadline: The deadline for registering the Diaspora through the e-Diaspora portal is extended until December 31, 2024.
Approval of the Draft Regulation for Compensation of Kosovo’s Foreign Service Members: The main issue addressed by this Draft Regulation is the determination of the value, conditions, method, and procedure for the provision of cost of living allowances and other compensations for members of the foreign service stationed abroad, as well as compensation and coverage of operational expenses.
Extension of the Mandate of the Commission for Verifying Diplomas from the University of Northern Mitrovica: Approval of the decision to extend the mandate of the Commission for six more months.
