25.8m euros in debt to KPM, half of them from Trepca

Commission Deputy Chairman Dardan Sejdiu has demanded the removal of the agenda with the argument that the investigative report on Telekom has not yet been completed.

I think there are several reasons, but the main reason is that we have a parliamentary Investigative Commission, which is doing a job in terms of Kosovo Telecom and I don't think we can move forward without seeing the final report of the parliamentary investigative Commission. In two ways, this is a good and proper step. The first, that we as deputy, have launched an initiative with the assembly vote and see the end of that job. Perhaps at the end of the investigative commission report there is nothing, then we come to the public policy part of how we treat Kosovo Telecom and should privatise or think of any other way. These two initiatives are at odds with each other, so how to privatise something when it is under investigation”, Sejdiu said.

Commission member Memli Krasniqi voiced opposition to removing this point from the agenda, but added that if MP Sejdiu does not participate in the vote, then there is no other solution.

“I don't believe that it should necessarily be held hostage by the extremely serious situation Kosovo Telekom has, waiting for the work our fellow MPs have to do. Even today, if we give support to the prosecution further on this decision, he should go to the plenary hearing. I'm convinced by the experiences of the past few months that the plenary hearing may probably be released along with Telekom's report. If the report is to be negative, which gives another view of the possibility of privatisation, it could be rejected later. But, I don't think it's good to take it off the agenda despite the fact that today it's not easy to vote if Dardan (Seydiu) doesn't participate in the vote, and that still puts it”, Krasniqi said.

While, MP Muharrem Nitaj said he is wasting time at the meetings and there is no result in the decision to privatise Telekom.

I'm trying with you guys on the street, that we're not having time or nerve to stay and discuss without producing any results. Everyone has their own arguments, even Memley and Dardan, but the reality at this meeting is whether we will vote on the agenda or not, and close the collection”, Nitaj said.

Commission Chairman Sala Berisha-Shala said the Parliament has consistently intervened in the investigative processes. According to her, parliamentary debate should not be held while the investigative Commission is working.

Otherwise, the Economic Development Commission today has reviewed and approved the annual report of the Independent Commission for Mining and Minerals KPMM for 2018, which Musa Shaban, chairman of the KPM Board, reported.

Shaban pointed out one problem, because half the debts to the KPM, which is over 25m euros, are of the Trepca Nation.

Another problem is debts, by the end of 2018, the total debt to the Independent Commission for Mines to the state of Kosovo, respectively, has reached 25.8m euros, in this amount of debt, about 45 per cent is the value of Trepca's debt. We have also been forced to establish judicial procedures on many businesses for collecting this debt”, Shaban said, the KP reported.

While, member of this Commission Memli Krasniqi has asked for explanations of investors in the mining field because of restrictions on land exploitation no longer than 5 years. Krasniqi also took an interest in the process of creating a single “One Stop Shop”.

“According to sublegal acts in force, The APK unfortunately still has no chance to produce land in use for more than five years. This has been a discouraging element for investors, because in the mining field maybe five years you can only need it for the research. So, then, is the possibility of handling this matter or of finding a solution until the Law's approval of the Forest? She mentioned the head-in-law for mines and minerals being brought to the Assembly, but the Law on Forests is one of the nearly nemunal laws, nearly since 2010”, Krasniqi says.

Shaban also pointed out that the length of licenses is a challenge and decontains investors in the mining field, as the Mining and Mineral Law envisions that operating licenses will last up to 25 years, while those for minerals and energy 35 years.

He also cited administrative instruction from the Ministry of Agriculture, which the Kosovo Forests Agency applies, which does not provide surfaces in the use of more than five hectares and at more than five years. This, according to Shaban, limits modern mining industry development opportunities.