Government approves the Draft law on Strategic Environmental Assessment

In its 131^st meeting, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo approved the Draft laws on Strategic Environmental Assessment. This strategy aims that through assessment of strategic environmental plans and programs, to ensure higher security level for the environment and health of the citizens. This law defines conditions, ways and procedures of the impact assessment in the environment, of the selected plans and programs, through the integration principles of the environment protection in the preparation procedure; approval and implementation of the plans and programs with the aim of promoting sustainable development. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) means preparing a VSM report, delivering consultancy, taking into consideration this report and results of the consultancy and giving information about the decision conform the law. Based on the article 4 of this draft law, strategic environmental assessment is done when the possible considerable damages might occur during their realization. Drafting the report on Strategic Environmental Assessment is obligatory for plans and programs in the field of spatial and urban planning, in the usage of land, agriculture, forestry, fishery, energy, industry, mines, traffic, waste management, water management, telecommunication, tourism, etc., which in the mean time provide the framework for developing future projects, that are subject to the environmental impact assessment conform the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment.

Based on article 17, monitoring the implementation of this law is responsibility of the Ministry, based on competences defined with this law. Whereas, in compliance with the law, implementation of this draft law is a responsibility of the inspectorate within the Ministry. Drafting the report on the implementation of this law is a responsibility of the Ministry 3 years after the entry into force of this law, whereas in the future the report should be done every 5 years.