and Kosovo is the project on the Establishment and Consolidation of Structures of Youth Work, which has been under way since 2000. The project promotes understanding between the state and civil society. By supporting youth centres, youth policies and youth employment, bridges are built between the state and citizens across ethnic divides. Good, effective youth work safeguards the social and multiethnic stability of Kosovo in the future. The challenges facing development include questions on the status of Kosovo (independent since June 2008) as well as the requisite conditions for broad-based development. Because of the urgent need for action, the German Government will continue to engage with the same intensity in the aforementioned priority areas and help establish a democratic, multiethnic society.13 GTZ supported in the past the collection of packages in Dukagjini Region, performed consulting activities on regional tourism development there, and supported the production of marketing material (recently a tourism map for Albanian Alps, covering also that region). LDA Kosovo, promoted BY ALDA LDA Kosovo, a bridge towards Europe A bridge towards Europe is an important instrument to ensure a smooth and stable transition towards democracy and European integration, with an emphasis on promoting tolerant and trust-based relationships within local communities. The signature of a pre agreement, in August 2010, for the opening of the new LDA Kosovo (the Local Democracy Agency) promoted by ALDA (the Association of Local Democracy Agency) supported by the Council of Europe, will be an important instrument to foster the process of dialogue between majority and minority for the benefit of all communities. Meaningful is the role of ALDA and the launch of the new LDA Kosovo in the framework of the ruling recently delivered by the International Court of Justice on the 2008 declaration of independence of Kosovo. “ALDA recognizes the UN's highest court ruling” – recently stated Mr. Per Vinther, President of ALDA – “and will put its work in the medium term perspective of European integration of all the countries of the region and the support of the equal rights of all minorities”. The municipality of Peja/Peć was among the partners that signed the agreement for the opening of the LDA Kosovo, next to the municipality of Yalova (Turkey) and the Association of Municipalities of Kosovo – AMK (Kosovo); as far as the NGOs are concerned, also Tavolo Trentino con il Kosovo / Province of Trento, the temporary lead partner of LDA Kosovo, Reggio Terzo Mondo (active in Kosovo and Italy), AIBI, Amici dei bambini (active in Kosovo and Italy) and Alfa Formation (France) participated. As far as the Region Istria (Croatia) is concerned, the signature is planned to follow straight away, whereas Canton of Neuchatel (Switzerland) is evaluating to become a signature partner.
3.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH ITALY
Kosovo’s relationship with Italy has always been rated very high. Present in Kosovo since 1999 through NATO troops, Italy recently sent 600 soldiers to serve as peacekeepers in EULEX - an EU Police, Civilian and Law Mission in Kosovo. Currently there are around 130 Italian companies operating in Kosovo, working in various fields such as industry, manufacturing, construction, transport,
13
GTZ Kosovo: http://www.gtz.de/en/weltweit/europa-kaukasus-zentralasien/1588.htm.
163