EPIK Institute: Out of 39 appointments to public enterprises, four are members of Vetevendosje

The EPIK Institute through a media report has indicated that it is carefully following developments related to public enterprise boards.

EPIK emphasises that good governance is one of the key pillars of policy “finals first” within the European integration process, and as such it is handled by one of the key EU priorities for Kosovo.

In this direction, the European Reform Agency has called for increased accountability of all independent institutions, agencies and regulatory bodies. Similarly, the European Commission's recent report on Kosovo has found that appointments by the past government have been “contrary to reforming goals, making appointments contrary to the principle of meritocracy and under the influence of particular interests”.

Consequently, the lack of good governance and mismanagement of public enterprises has been recorded, re-counted, over years, by all possible state and international instances. In addition, institutions have refused to address these concerns.

In this context, we welcome the recent actions of Kosovo institutions for the return of legitimacy and increased accountability of public enterprise boards. Public companies offer services of particular interest to citizens, and as such deserve higher political and public attention. The practice of using public companies for narrow party interests should be permanently completed”, the media report said.

EPIK stresses that in terms of new and temporary appointments to public enterprises, out of a total of 39 appointments, we have found that 4 of them are members of the Vetevendosje Movement. While there are differing views as to whether these 4 appointments constitute violations of the Law on Public Enterprises, we call for the Government to respect in general the public pledge to depoliticise public boards.

“also, we know the fact that procedural concerns over institutions are raised. We call for these to be contested in guaranteed legal procedures and any administrative or judicial decisions to be fully respected.

Looking towards the future, we want to underline the fact that citizens expect full unification of the entire political spectrum lies in advancing public enterprises that have a direct impact on citizens' lives. Consequently, we hope that institutions will continue with other necessary measures aimed at ensuring good governance, professionalism and the return of legitimacy to public enterprises. Also, in this direction, we call for this full involvement of international partners and civil society in recruiting processes.

Finally, despite welcoming the latest actions of institutions, we need to know that the outcome is important, not actions. Consequently, we expect that new management companies will present concrete, professional and convincing plans for the delayed recovery of public enterprises”, the report says.