Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) in cooperation with Prishtina Institute for Political Studies (PIPS) hosted a Roundtable Discussion on the topic: “Rule of Law Reform Challenges in the context of the SAA and European Reform Agenda”, at Swiss Diamond Hotel. The aim of this event was to discuss the implementation of the rule of law reforms deriving from the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between Kosovo and the European Union. At the beginning of the Discussion, GLPS presented a Policy Report entitled “Rule of Law Conditionality in the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Kosovo and the EU”. This Report provides a thorough analysis of the rule of law requirements that Kosovo should implement in order to fulfill the obligations deriving from the SAA and emphasizes their potential implication. Among other, panelists agreed that the rule of law remains as one of the key priorities in the enlargement process and one of the key impediments for Kosovo according to the recent 2016 Country Report. In addition, panelists also focused on the key reforms that should be undertaken on this regard, such as strengthening of the rule of law institutions, prevention and combating of organised crime and corruption, money laundering, etc. Despite the progress shown so far, Kosovo still remains at an early stage of fighting of this detrimental phenomenon. In order to fulfill these obligations, there is a need to further improve the inter-institutional cooperation and further commitment from all the stakeholders involved in the process. To access the Policy Report, please click here.

Panelists:

1. H.E. Ms. Gerrie Willems – Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kosovo;
2. Ms. Selvije Halimi – Deputy Chief State Prosecutor;
3. Ms. Njomza Emini – Chairperson of the Committee for European Integration;
4. Mr. Shaip Havolli – Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency;
5. Mr. Artan Canhasi – Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI).

Venue: Hotel Swiss Diamond (Mother Theresa Square, Prishtina).