Strategic Moves - Regional Environmental Center for Central and ...

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C H A P T E R 5
N AT I O N A L S T R AT E G I C A N D I N S T I T U T I O N A L F R A M E W O R K
S T R AT E G I C M O V E S
adopted in 2009, and horizontal laws on EIA, SEA and IPPC were adopted in the
first half of 2009. The Kosovo Environmental Action Plan (KEAP) 2006–2010
(2006) is aimed at the gradual improvement of the environmental situation and
the improvement of public health in general. The Environmental Protection
Agency has been operational since 2007.
The Law on Water was adopted in 2004. The Wastewater Treatment Strategy
was adopted the same year. There has been no progress in the establishment of river
basin authorities, envisaged by the Water Law. The Water Law provides for the establishment
of a river basin authority that will be responsible for water resource
management in the territory of the river basins. There is currently no national water
management strategy.
Water management is a key element in the Environmental Action Plan, given the
growing scarcity of water in Kosovo (as defined under UNSCR 1244) and the region.
In the KEAP, the construction of wastewater treatment plants is listed as a priority.
The most important developments in the environmental sector in Kosovo (as
defined under UNSCR 1244) have been achieved in the waste sector, although
there is still a mixture of competencies between the Ministry of Environment and
Spatial Planning (MESP) and the Water and Waste Regulatory Office (WWRO).
The Law on Waste Management and Disposal (2006) was enacted along with
a number of pieces of secondary legislation covering construction and demolition
waste; used batteries and accumulators; end-of-life vehicles; packaging waste; the
competencies of the owners and operators of waste treatment facilities; the administration
of waste landfills; hazardous waste; waste electrical and electronic
equipment; as well as medical products and waste. The Administrative Instruction
on Conditions for the Designation of the Location and Construction of Landfills
was approved in January 2009. The Draft Administrative Instruction on Licences
for Waste Administration is expected to be adopted by the end of 2009 and will
regulate the duties and responsibilities of the licensing authorities. The National
Waste Management Strategy is being prepared and should be finalised in 2009.
In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the basic elements of the legislative
framework are in place. A number of legal documents have been adopted
and/or amended in compliance with the EU acquis. After passing the horizontal
and vertical laws, the most intensive drafting of bylaws is taking place for the waste
sector, and partially in the air, noise and water sectors. The strategic framework is
well developed, with only a few gaps remaining
The National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD) is expected to be
approved in 2009. The National Environmental Investment Strategy (NEIS),
which was adopted in April 2009, sets clear national priorities, streamlining the
available national funds and leveraging international financing sources towards
solving priority environmental problems.
Following the adoption of the new Law on Water, the major challenge is to establish
an integrated water management approach and to overcome barriers resulting
from the inherited institutional disparities. Activities will mostly comprise
the adoption of the approximated laws and the transfer of competencies from the