Large number of deputy ministers, ECA representative urges clarification by government

The Special Group for Public Administration Reform (GVRAP) has held the next meeting, where the importance of political will was highlighted on the path to state reforms.

While the European Commission requested clarification concerning the large number of deputy ministers in the Government of Kosovo.

Public Administration Minister Mahir Jagcilar said that, as envisioned in the Strategy for Modernisation of Public Administration 2015 (HOC) 2020, the Ministry of Public Administration in October 2017 has begun the process of reviewing the Action Plan for the implementation of this Strategy

He has also cited elections described last year, with which he said that, despite that, concrete progress has been achieved under all conclusions of the Group's recent meeting, which was held on May 18th last year.

“The modernisation of public administration in Kosovo, transformation and advancement of it, is an investment in democracy and economics, improving the quality of life for our citizens and bringing our state closer to the European Union, which is our highest state interest”, he said.

While David Cullen from the European Commission invited for a joint pledge on all sides to advance reforms in public administration.

“We have some serious questions that we will address in terms of impact, and the objective of a responsible and competent administration. We have noted in the report an increasing trend of deputy ministers who in the previous term were 45, and now there are about 80. We want to know how this high number of deputy ministers ensures efficiency. We will also give recommendations. There have been a number of appointment procedures, and appointments to public administrations are very important issue”, he said.

On behalf of the Government of Kosovo, co-ordinator for the State Reforms Besnik Tahiri, who said they are aware of the large number of deputy ministers, but indicated that there will be a meeting of the prime minister with them, until he assured that Minister Hamza is very well aware of microfinance issues.

Tahiri also assured Cullen that there is no political will lacking on the path towards reform in the state administration. I confirm that political support to push this issue forward that is painful is complete. We as a state should decide how to approach senior civil servants, advance and review, and in particular on the wage issue”, he said. On the other hand, Finance Minister Bedri Hamza said his top priority, however, is precisely maintaining macro-fiscal stability.