The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW), in cooperation with the German non-governmental organization “Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB)”, as well as with “PREDA Plus”, today opened the proceedings of the “Social Dimension Initiative” (IDS) for the Western Balkans: “Do not exclude anyone in the EU Integration Process”.
Minister of MLSW, Skender Reçica at the opening of the conference said that the purpose of this initiative is to enhance the dialogue between civil society, citizens and institutions on the necessity of advancing the social dimension in the process of integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU.
“Kosova is facing many challenges and in this regard the government is taking the steps and reforms needed to create a better welfare for our citizens, which would be compatible with the well-being of EU citizens,” emphasised Minister Reçica.
Minister Reçica has underlined that the purpose of MLSW and the Government of the Republic of Kosova is to build a social system where there is no place of inequality and discrimination, promoting equality and social protection, as well as increasing solidarity between generations and protection of children’s rights .
“Since the beginning of the mandate of this Government, MLSW has started the concrete steps of the General Social Reform and Employment in the country, in order to strengthen the social dimension for the benefit of Kosova citizens, but at the same time to meet the criteria for the process of integration of Republic of Kosova into the European Union “.
Knur Fleckenstein, a Member of the European Parliament and chair of the ASB Board, highly appreciated the initiative of the Social Dimension.
“Results in the social sphere will be possible only if all social partners, municipalities, civil society, companies and businesses work together,” MEP Fleckenstein said.
Meanwhile, Elmir Bojadžić, Regional Director for Southeast Europe at ASB, said that this initiative is a global goal to attract Europe’s support for improving human resources. According to him, this will only be possible if there is a union of political structures and those of civil society in this area.