Eliot Engel: Corruption Must Be Breakped

The programme was signed in September, while official launching was made Monday in Pristina, under the conference for the Milenium Foundation for Kosovo through which it applies.

The renowned American conventioner Elliot Engel and chief officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) were present. Jonathan Nash. Both American officials have talked about Radio Free Europe, the importance of this programme.

They said the programme for Kosovo is put in favour of Government efforts to curb energy spending in family economies and businesses, as well as is aimed at boosting transparency and accountability.

Congresswoman Eliot Engel told Radio Free Europe that the battle for Kosovo's involvement in this programme was long and difficult, primarily because of the approach, but also because of the fact that Kosovo is not a member of the United Nations, where some estimates come from.

This grant, he has underlined, supports Government, transparency, the fight against corruption and all else that new democracies face.

This is very important, because here we are building a free society. We want to make sure that it is cheaper and more open, where there is no corruption and developments that can harm society”, Elliot Engel said.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Nash as the main officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation said he is working on supporting reforms and economic freedoms. With this programme, according to him, Kosovo's progress is also known in recent years.

The programme will last four years, but our goal is to support the Government's efforts to establish mechanisms, framework and sustainable access between”, Nash said.

He adds that, when it comes to energy, the idea is to offer opportunities for the private sector, such as Kosovo, the United States of America and regional companies to invest, what he says would affect the opening of new jobs.

A reliable energy access programme has three key components, and two focus on market requirements. First, we will work with households and companies to introduce energy efficiency technology in order to reduce the level of energy losses”, Nash said. On the other hand, it underlines that it will be done with companies, so that citizens can pay only for the energy spent, halting the frequent form of transportation through the paushal. Third, Nash underlines, will be working with the Government to boost co-operation with the private sector.

Engel and Nash voiced confidence that the Kosovo government will be committed to implementing this programme as the precondition for it to be successful.

Congresswoman Engel has also spoken of the importance of rule of law and independent judiciary in fighting phenomena such as organised crime and corruption.

“Corruption must be overcome and I think the Government wants to act properly. The government not only is it satisfied with this programme, but it wants Kosovo to become part of the European Union, NATO, so it also realizes that corruption has to be fought, that's the main problem, and I think that this grant is very important”, Elliot Engel said.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Nash has called on the Government to increase transparency so that even international partners can support the necessary reforms.

According to him, the more transparency is expressed, the greater is the possibility of fighting crime and corruption.

The Mujayear Challenge Programme offers two kinds of grants. It's about larger grants and lower ones, but which are mainly aimed at financial support for economic growth and poverty reduction.

Kosovo, has not qualified for high grants, so it is the beneficiary of lower grants from this programme. / REL