The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr Hashim Thaçi today discussed the report on the accreditation of institutions of Higher Education in Kosovo, took a decision on the date for registration of the population to be held, and approved the Bill for Changing and Fulfilling the Law on the Consolidated Budget of Kosovo.
Pristina, 16 July 2008
At the opening of the meeting, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi informed his cabinet about the historic visit that he is going to make, together with President Fatmir Sejdiu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Skender Hyseni, to the United States of America, a visit which is taking place on the invitation of President George W Bush. Prime Minister Thaçi said that this visit will seal the success of Kosovo and will open a road to our North Atlantic integration.
This success is directly connected with the role of the USA, from the elder President Bush, President Clinton, and now the administration of President George W Bush, affirmed Prime Minister Thaçi.
The Prime Minister of the Government of Kosovo, Mr Hashim Thaçi once again thanked the whole cabinet of ministers for the excellent work at the Donor Conference in Brussels which was held last week.
The Donor Conference was an enormous success for the Government and for institutions in Kosovo where all our expectations were fulfilled. Kosovo was a deserving beneficiary at this international Conference, said Prime Minister Thaçi.
Now, after Brussels, is the moment for beginning the management of these resources. This process has to be very responsible and transparent, with every cent accounted for. The government will form a special body which will deal with the co-ordination and implementation of projects to be financed with the resources from donors.
Prime Minister Thaçi thanked all the states who are donors to Kosovo.
Continuing the meeting, the Government agreed the Bill for Changing and Fulfilling Law no. 03/L-088 for the Approval of the Consolidated Budget of Kosovo and the Authorised Expenditure for the period 1 January to 31 December. This bill will proceed immediately to be passed in the Assembly of Kosovo.
On the suggestion of the Ministry of Public Services, the government proposes to the Assembly of Kosovo that the registration of population, family income and dwellings in the Republic of Kosovo should be held from 31 March to 15 April 2009. It was said at the meeting that there is an enormous need for the registration of the population, family income and dwellings. A range of statistical information will offer the state, the administration and the wider public reliable data for administrative, demographic, economic, social, material, health and other forms of development, transformation and ways of working.
Today the Government also agreed the proposal of the Ministry of Trade and Industry for nomination of members of the Council for Oil and the proposal for filling the Procurement Review Body.
Another of the more important points today was the discussion in relation to the report on the accreditation of institutions of Higher Education in Kosovo.
Based on the report offered by the British Council for Accreditation, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo made the decision: other than the American University of Kosovo no Private Higher Education Institution (Bartës Privat i Arsimit të Lartë - BPAL) in the Republic of Kosovo currently fulfils the criteria to be called a University.
1. No Private Higher Education Institution fulfils the criteria to be licensed to be given the status of University.
2. No Private Higher Education Institution which has applied under names such as Academy, Faculty, Institute etc. fulfils the conditions for accreditation and licensing.
3. No Private Higher Education Institution which has applied for accreditation with the aim of being licensed for the first time will be accredited or licensed.
4. No Private Higher Education Institution fulfils the conditions for accepting new students for the academic year 2008-2009.
5. All the Private Higher Education Institutions are obliged to make new applications for accreditation to the Kosovo Agency for Accreditation.
6. From 1 October 2008 the process of accreditation must start in all private institutions at beginner and intermediate level, including the Public University of Prishtina.