Osmanaj for Association draft status: The key point is the 2013 agreement

The Friedrich Ebert (FES) Foundation in Pristina has introduced the draft state of the Serb majority municipalities, drafted by this organisation in partnership with the European Institute for Peace. Under this draft status, the association will be formed in line with the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, the Online Economy reports.

FES representative for Kosovo and Northern Macedonia Renè Schlee has said this is a project based on political pragmatism.

He has said that the draft is a concrete proposal, adding there has been debate, but little progress in association.

He has said the three objectives of the draft-status are that he is in line with the Constitution, the concerns and requirements of the Serbian community are taken into account and is in line with Brussels' agreements, the 2013 principle agreement.

Egzon Osmanaj, project co-ordinator, has said one of the key points of the process is the 2013 agreement.

According to him, the draft was the product of FES and the European Institute for Peace.

“has had a tendency to connect with other factors that it was ordered by someone. The flow of drafts has increased pressure on our colleagues. We wanted to be transparent and open. The terminology used is based on the constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and its legal framework. To be more inclusive, we've organized series of workers we've discussed with experts, academics and all discussions are involved as long as we've had access to”, he said.

Article 1 point 2 says “The statue will be approved by the founding assembly of Association/Uniship formed by members of municipal municipalities vote participating in accordance with the Law for Ratification of the First Agreement and the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo. The statue will be adopted by the Kosovo Government's legal act and will assume the power of a government regulation under Kosovo's legal system following review by the Constitutional Court.

This draft state states that the association will be as a legal person established in accordance with the Constitution and the Kosovo judicial system. The key point is that the Association/Uniship will have its own official symbols, including the coat of arms and flag, which will be designed by the Association/Unibility Board in line with the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and the Law on Local Governance.