"Dialogue between civil society and governmental institutions in the European integration process- the environmental challenges"

May 14, 2010 a National conference of the Environmental Forum with topic: “Dialogue between civil society and governmental institutions in the process of EU, organized from Environment Forum- Bells-ATRC.  The goal of the meeting was to strengthen the dialogue between civil societies, national and regional governments as well as other stakeholders with the aim to fulfill the European standards on environment, with a special focus on quality of air and water.
Topics of the meeting were:

•  The role of civil society in fulfilling the EU environmental standards in Kosovo,
•  Adaptation of the EU environmental legislation to the National legislation and its challenges
• The quality of water and public health
•  Needs and opportunities for monitoring the quality of water in Kosovo

Recommendations emerging from the meeting: "Dialogue between civil society and governmental institutions in the European integration process- the environmental challenges" were as follows:

• The role of CSOs in the process of European integration is important and necessary; CSOs therefore need to be partners in the governmental process.
• The main role of CSOs in this process should be monitoring the actions of government institutions in fulfilling of EU standards and identify gaps and needs in this process.

• NGOs should be part of all decision processes in the environment sector, as in the drafting of legislation and environmental policies but also for projects which have an impact on the environment.
• Despite the commitment of governmental institutions and lawmakers in drafting, transposition and implementation of environmental legislation is still work to be done to achieve European standards. In this regard NGOs can also make their contribution.

• In order to deepen the cooperation between government institutions and NGOs need to draft a strategy and action plan to deepen this cooperation with a special emphasis on the process of European integration.

• The allocated funding from the Kosovo budget should support NGOs, civil initiatives and support of experts deficient in stimulating the environmental sector.

• Public health is risked due to the low quality of drinking water and therefore it is required increased institutional and human capacity in the monitoring of drinking water, protection of water resources and improving water infrastructure.

• The current network of monitoring air quality is poor and does not meet the requirements and needs and therefore need to be invested in setting up monitoring air systems. To increase the number of monitoring station, to have transportable automatic monitoring station, investments in expanding laboratory capacities, accreditation of analytical laboratory, the establishment of calibration laboratory, establishment of unit servicing of laboratory equipment and automatic monitoring stations, and building institutional and human capacity in this area.

• Research and data from air quality monitoring indicate that there is excess of the allowed parameters of air quality especially in urban areas and thus the public health in these areas is at risk, so must be undertaken concrete measures to protect health public in these areas.

• Civil society should design projects for international funding environment.

• General public should be more informed and educated about the process of European integration and fulfillment of European environmental standards.

• Raise the issue of environmental protection should be the main priority of the Government of Kosovo.

• The issues related to environment have to deal directly with courts. Reviewing of the claims regularly and in time will also contribute to the review of claims and complaints for environment issues. Representatives of the courts must be called in similar meetings

Present at the meeting were:

• Iva Stamenova, representatives from EU Comission ofiice in Kosovo
• Luan Shllaku – Environment Expert and executive Director of Kosovo Foundation for Open Society;
• Prof. Isa Elezaj – professor in Prishtina faculty;
• Prof. Selvete Krasniqi – Institute for Public health;
• Muhamet Malsiu – chef of department for Environment in Ministry for Environment;
• Elheme Hetemi – Kosovo Assembly – Committee for Environment;
• Edon Cana – the Government Agency for EU Integration;
• Letafete Latifi – expert for quality of air;
• Nadire Bejtullahu – executive director of WATER NGO; SHUKOS; 
• Arsim Kuliqi – department of Energy in Ministry for Energy;
• National Coalition Board-Bells Kosovo;
• Representatives from NGO.