4th Anniversary SAA finds Kosovo with lower SAA implementation level

The SAA is the most important legal and political document between Kosovo and the EU. Kosovo has taken the obligation to implement the SAA provisions within the decade. With the goal of implementing obligations stemming from the SAA, Kosovo approves the SAA National Implementation Programme (PKZMSA) annually.

The requirement for drafting the Programme stems from Article 74, the SAA's point 3. Such documents, under different appointments, have all countries in the region in place that are part of the Stabilisation and Association process, for example. writer in Albania: National Plan for European Integration in Serbia: National Programme for Accession of Acquis or Montenegro: The National Programme for EU Membership.

The programme contains concrete measures proposed by V et state institutions to address the specific SAA provisions.

In this context, taking on annual reports of SAA implementation, Institute The EPIK says we can conclude that since the SAA's entry into force in Kosovo, the political will is lacking to undertake the first reforms with the SAA National Implementation Programme.

According to official institutions reports:

• In 2016, the programme had 1,347 measures from which institutions managed to meet 741 measures, or 55% of the programme.

• In 2017, the programme had 967 measures from which institutions achieved 600 measures, or 62% of the programme.

• In 2018, the programme had 532 measures from which institutions managed to meet 362 measures, or 68% of the programme.

• In 2019, the programme had 401 measures from which institutions managed to meet 204 measures, or 51% of the programme.

In this respect, despite the continued reduction of the number of measures under the programme, in 2019 the SAA implementation rate has reached the lowest level ever since the SAA's entry into force in 2016.

As for the type of measures in 2019 of a total of 401 measures, the programme contained 160 legislative measures and 241 implementing measures.

The lowest level of implementation is noted in legislative measures, with cases of implementation of legislative measures during 2019 being 36.88%, since 59 out of 160 planned measures have been implemented. Meanwhile, the situation is a little more positive in the implementation measures, as the implementation rate during 2019 is 60.17%, as 145 out of 241 planned measures have been implemented.

Some of the measures and reforms that were not implemented in 2019 are:

The adoption of two bills: bk «r rationalisation of independent agencies and institutions; and administrative disputes;

The adoption of four (4) bills in the field of judiciary and fundamental rights;

The adoption of five (5) bills in the field of justice, freedom and security;

The adoption of five (5) environmental bills;

Increase in number of job inspectors;

The adoption of three (3) policy competition regulations: de minimis for state aid; for regional assistance; and for horizontal assistance;

The adoption of the strategy for digitizing land transmission;

The adoption of three (3) regulations on food safety;

Don't function on the animal waste processing factory.

As far as 2020 is concerned, we call on institutions to show increased political will to implement the first reforms with the SAA, since it will mark five years next year since the SAA's entry into force. The year 2021 will be an important moment, as in line with MSA Article 9, the Stabilisation and Association Council will make a detailed assessment of the SAA's implementation and will therefore take measures for the future of the Stabilisation and Association process for Kosovo.