Apostolova: Fighting corruption remains key challenge for Kosovo

She made these comments at the meeting of the Joint Co-ordination Board for Law Rule, attended by EULEX Mission Chief in Kosovo Aleksandra Papadopoulos, Justice Minister Abelard Tahiri, Kosovo Judiciary Council Chairman Nehat Idrizi and Prosecutorial Council Chairman Blerim Isufaj.

Apostolova noted that other issues still need further co-ordination, saying the fight against organised crime and corruption remains a key challenge for Kosovo.

What remains to be done in the legislative field is the quick adoption of provisions regarding the suspension and removal of public officials, indicted and convicted of corruption” respectively, Apostolova said.

While EULEX chief Alexandra Papadopoulos focused on the process of integration of justice in northern Kosovo, which began in October 2017, while praising Kosovo for the progress made in implementing BPCSL guides.

“Setting decisions that are pending and the judgments dealing with the AKP Appeal Panel for parties living outside Kosovo, as recently initiated, is an important achievement. The Law for the Special Chamber of the Supreme Court is currently changing, noting another important step in ensuring the continuation and sustainability of the work of the”, Papadopoulos” said.

Justice Minister Abelard Tahiri noted the package of laws drafted for fighting corruption, as well as other laws necessary for meeting obligations stemming from the European Agency of Reforms.

Corruption is a phenomenon that is difficult to address and at the same time problem that we cannot afford to ignore. The suspensions and evacuations of public officials who are accused or convicted of corruption are addressed through the new Criminal Project and will be further processed through Criminal Procedure Projectod”, he said.

While Kosovo Judiciary Council Chairman Nehat Idrizi voiced the Judiciary Council's commitment to meeting remaining obligations related to timely and efficient treatment of corruption cases stemming from the European Agency of Reforms, as well as the remaining criteria for visa liberalisation.

The head of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council, Blerim Isufaj, briefed members of the BPKSL on the recent progress achieved by the prosecutorial system in Kosovo, with particular emphasis on activities planned to further improve administration through secondary legislation, draft strategy and relevant policies.

Otherwise, it was announced at this meeting that Kosovo's joint progress report on rule of law, the 2017-18 Progress Report, will be published in September this year during the next BPCSL meeting to be organised by EULEX.