On May 30, Group for Legal and Political Studies organized a Panel Discussion on the topic: “Recalling the Obvious: EC 2019 Country Report for Kosovo”, held in Prishtina. The aim of this event was to further elaborate on the EC 2019 Country Report for Kosovo, published just yesterday. During the discussion, panelists mainly focused on analyzing the main findings of the Country Report, while identifying the key messages delivered by the European Commission through this report. In addition, they had the chance to discuss the progress highlighted this year, which are among the key failures identified with the report and what are the missing priorities that have hindered Kosovo’s European path. At the beginning of the discussion, GLPS’ Executive Director, Ms. Loxha, presented a short Policy Note which focuses on some of the main shortcomings that the Country Report addresses. This note also provides a list of recommendations to Kosovo institutions, aiming to help them refocus and re-launch efforts towards European integration, and detach from daily agendas and political parties’ priorities. Ms. Loxha, the Executive Director of GLPS said that the report highlights corruption, nepotism, large public administration and ad-hoc budgetary spending, which remain the key words of the Country report. Furthermore, the justice sector still remains at an early stage, which reflects the inefficiency of the sector, high political influence, as well as lack of integrity and professionalism. On the other hand, the Minister of European Integration, Ms. Hoxha, emphasized that in the capacity of the Coordinator, the Ministry is regularly engaging to keep track on the work delivered by all institutions, while pressuring them about each requirement stemming from the SAA and European Reform Agenda (ERA). Nevertheless, the sole responsibility remains to all relevant institutions, while the Ministry does not have any enforcing mechanism that would accelerate the implementation of necessary reforms. While concluding her speech, Ms. Hoxha said that the Ministry was immediately mobilized her staff and will ensure recommendations are received by all institutions, while she appealed for a higher inter-institutional cooperation and commitment, in order to reach a desirable progress in implemented EU-related reforms. In addition, the Head of EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative, Ms. Apostolova, said that a full consensus among institutions, political parties and civil society about the means and processes that are deemed essential to re-energize our commitment to EU integration path is crucial. Furthermore, she said that the report mirrors Kosovo, its failures, challenges, positive steps as well as issues that need be addressed. Kosovo should not distract itself by political issues. Instead, Kosovo should focus on the recommendations included in this report, responsibly and efficiently. On the other hand, Mr. Demhasaj from Çohu, put special emphasis on the rule of law sector. He said that the sector remains ineffective, politically influence, while its failures and challenges are regularly discussed in the public discourse and media outlets, and widely addressed with the EC Country Report 2019.

Panelists:

    Ms. Dhurata Hoxha – Minister of European Integration of Kosovo;

    H.E. Ms. Nataliya Apostolova – Head of the EU Office in Kosovo/EUSR;

    Mr. Arton Demhasaj – Executive Director, Çohu!

    Ms. Arbëresha Loxha – Executive Director, GLPS.

Venue: Europe House Prishtina, Str. “UCK”, Prishtina, Kosovo.