European Union cancels 12m-euro project in Kosovo

The European Union's office in Kosovo announced it has had to annul a 12m-euro project for the construction of dangerous waste deposits in Kosovo.

This project included building facilities for storing dangerous waste based on the Kosovo Government's decision in 2010. As a result, the project was included in the EU Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) for 2015.

For the construction, the government initially identified a parcel of land within the old military complex at Harilaq in Fushe Kosovo, which, after preliminary studies, did not turn out to be suitable due to unbroken means and old bunkers, making construction impossible.

Following several requirements from the EU in Kosovo, the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning identified an alternative location within the municipality of Fushe Kosovo.

However, the Communist Assembly refused to set up the facility on its territory, thus leaving the EU no option but to cancel the project.

“At this point, there is simply no time for identifying a new parcel and for the series of preparation activities such as geology, geotechnic, preliminary design, public consultations, etc.”, the EU statement says.

The European Union laments the annulment of this project, after which it said it would bring great benefits to the entire population, providing adequate storage for dangerous waste. Currently, there is no care for these wastes and as such pose a threat to people's health throughout Kosovo.

“The EU contributes almost 100m euros in financial assistance to Kosovo annually. The EU remains committed to working closely with Kosovo, including with local authorities, to invest in better environmental protection”, the statement concludes.