In this issue:

- Weeklong celebrations of Europe Day

The EC Liaison Office in Pristina offered a weeklong educational and entertaining series of events to celebrate the Europe Day 2010 in Kosovo. The programme began with the Cultural Heritage Photo Exhibition in the Prizren hamam, followed by a debate on the Lisbon Treaty, launching of the energy efficiency campaign, students ’I Love Europe’ party, inauguration of the new Ministry of Internal Affairs building, opening of the EU Info Point in Mitrovica North, cycling tour in Gjakova/Djakovica and the EU Street Fair held on 9 May.

- Commissioner Füle visits Kosovo for the second time

The EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, visited Kosovo for his second official visit, on 6 and 7 May 2010. He met key local and international stakeholders and inaugurated the EU-funded new building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Pristina, the EU Info Point in North Mitrovica and the business complex in Zvecan. He also gave a lecture to university students in North Mitrovica, and marked Europe Day at a formal reception in Pristina.

- Civil society is encouraged to apply for grants promoting democracy and human rights

All civil society organisations in Kosovo are encouraged to apply with their project ideas for the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) grant. The deadline is 31 May 2010. The general objective of the EIDHR for Kosovo is to strengthen the role of civil society in promoting human rights and democratic reform, in supporting conflict prevention and in consolidating political participation and representation. For more information on the grant, please visit our tenders section.

- Journalists invited to speak about energy

At the end of April, the EC Liaison Office launched the journalist competition for best media coverage on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The competition is open to all journalists from Kosovo who are encouraged to look at initiatives and best practices taking place in public and in large buildings and households. The competition is part of a wider public awareness campaign and EU-funded support to Kosovo’s Ministry of Energy and Mining. The deadline for submissions is 24 November 2010.

- A local tree planting initiative supported for the Earth Day

On the occasion of Earth Day, a ceremony was held in the "Pandeli Sotiri" primary school in Obiliq/Obilic to mark the end of spring tree-planting initiative Kosovo Peace Trees, organised by NGO InterSilva and supported by the European Commission Liaison Office and the Municipality of Obiliq/Obilic. Around 200 trees were planted along the main street of Obiliq/Obilic in April as a part of this initiative, with the financial support of the EC Liaison Office. Earlier in March, farmers from Obiliq/Obilic attended workshops for tree-planting and maintenance, during which 1,400 fruit trees were planted in their farm-lands. Secondary-school volunteers and teachers also attended similar trainings.

- EU has finalised the feasibility study for the Palace of Justice

On 19 April, the European Commission Liaison Office presented the plans for the new justice building known as the Palace of Justice. The compound is to be built in the New Pristina area. The realisation of the Palace of Justice project will provide adequate space for the justice system and improve its services. It will also support public access and confidence on the justice sector by improving its efficiency, reducing the backlog of cases and increasing independence, trust, and visibility of the justice system.

- Kosovo would save money with early decommissioning of Kosovo

At the end of March, the European Commission Liaison Office presented the outcomes of the report on decommissioning of the old Kosovo A power plant. Findings of the study confirm that the costs of closing Kosovo A early are by all means cheaper than keeping it open until 2017. The Kosovo A power plant is the source of significant pollution and a health hazard for Kosovo in general and in particular for the neighbouring municipalities. The plant releases 100,000 tones of dust per year and according to some studies the amount is up to 180 times higher than it should be, considering the EU limits.

For further information: European Commission Liaison Office