Tahiri responds to the EU: The appointment of new swimmers is completely legitimate

In the face of the European Union Office's invitation to suspend the appointment of new swimmers, he insists that the appointment of new swimmers, on the formula that is envisioned as necessary and urgent to meet the needs of citizens, apart from non-communities, is completely legitimate and must happen.

Tahiri's full statement:

Over the past two years, just with the help of the European Union and our development partners, the United States, we have accomplished and completed many capital projects in the field of rule of law.

Among the reforms undertaken has also been access to justice for citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, translated into providing services as closely as possible through free legal professions.

Since the establishment of these professions, no one has taken part in them, not in measuring performance, nor in the need for increased efficiency of services to citizens.

I've had demands from communities to enable access to notary services as close as possible to their settlements, and I've had parliamentary questions from MPs why this was not happening yet. In the face of reality, reforming free professions has been among my first duties as justice minister.

Reform of the notary system has been under way since the beginning of 2018. Along with the EU and in line with European Union standards, we have drafted and the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo has adopted the new Law on Noteria.

Under the implementation of the new law and the new 1 Notter formula in 10 thousand inhabitants, in April of this year, long before the government of Prime Minister Haradinaj was removed, we have analysed the needs of citizens and declared the public competition for recruiting new swimmers.

The collapse of the government has found the process almost complete. So it wasn't a reform that I've started right now, but a necessary reform that's started and developed over the past two years.

In the recruiting phase, each step in this process is in full accordance with the Law and the accompanying acts.

Testing candidates was conducted at the Public Security Academy under camera surveillance, while the test was compiled by members of the Professional Commission, just an hour before the exam was held.

In line with the circumstances, members of the Noteria Testing Commission have avoided conflict of interest, which has already been confirmed by the competent institution on the issue, the Anti-Corruption Agency, with the opinion they have already submitted to the Ministry of Justice.

On the other hand, regarding claims of eventual irregularities, we have received interested parties, including ambassadors from European Union countries, whom we have clarified in detail the circumstances and performance of this process.

So today, in the face of the EU Office's invitation to suspend the appointment of new swimmers, as justice minister, I appreciate that the appointment of new swimmers, on the formula that is envisioned as necessary and urgent to meet the needs of citizens, apart from non-communal communities, is completely legitimate and must happen.