Hamza: Budget will not be a problem with transforming KSF into Army

Weeks ago Kosovo Assembly deputies have adopted bills for transforming the Kosovo Security Force into the Kosovo Army, while even the financial aspect will not be an obstacle to transforming the KSF into the Army.

Finance Minister Bedri Hamza in an interview for Telegrafi has indicated that the Ministry of Finance will provide sufficient funds for this transformation in terms of financial aspect to occur without delay and problems.

The financial outlook will not be an obstacle to transforming the KSF into the Kosovo Army, where we as the Ministry of Finance will provide sufficient funds for this transformation in terms of financial aspect to occur without delay and problems. We, even during budgetary hearings, have financed 100 percent requests from the Ministry of Kosovo Security Forces”, Hamza said.

“In the Government meeting, it is required that their demands be in line with their strategies, and we as the finance minister have agreed to meet this requirement and that this is reflected in the budget draft in the necessary part, and this has been prosecuted in the Assembly, as KSF Ministry” has requested, said, among other ministries, Hamza.

Otherwise, at the 18 October session, MPs passed the three bills dealing with the transformation of the KSF, the Defence Ministry Bill, the Kosovo Security Force Bill and the Ministerial Bill at the KSF.

All parliamentary groups had voted in favour of transforming the KSF in, except for the Serbian List, which boycotted the October 18th session.

1. - The Defence Ministry Bill on this Law becomes the reshuffle and transition of the MSF to the Ministry of Defence within the Government of the Republic of Kosovo with the aim of monitoring and civil democratic control over the KSF with its organisational structure providing full functionality and meeting its responsibilities.

The defence ministry will draft and implement general state defence policies at the strategic level, as well as exercise its functions and competencies in accordance with the Constitution.

Also, this bill defines in detail the competencies of the Ministry, the competencies of the Ministry of Defence, and the powers of the Secretary General as well.

2. - The Kosovo Security Force Bill defines the competencies, organisation and functioning of the KSF as a multiethnic, professional, armed and authorised force to serve in the country and abroad, in accordance with the given constitutional and legal mandate in defence of the territorial integrity, citizens, property and interests of the Republic of Kosovo, and which is subject to civil democratic control.

3. - The KSF Service bill regulates the general terms of KSF service as a service built on the basis of the principle of legitimacy, professionalism, command, discipline, respect, protection of information, communication, not discrimination and equal opportunities, political impartiality, transparency and accountability.

This bill defines general criteria for service, service parameters, service duration, career development, service cuts, KSF member status, members' rights and obligations, and other issues within the KSF service.

It is important to note that at the moment of creating favourable political circumstances, the name will also be changed through procedures of relevant constitutional changes. /Telegraphy/