The EU government: We're worried that Sunday took into account our comments on three bills.

The European Union office in Kosovo has reacted to three bills expected to be voted in second reading in the assembly tomorrow.

The EU in Kosovo said it laments that in the Law for Officials, the current version of the Bill for Independent Media Commission and the current draft law on change and fulfillment of the Law for the Prosecutorial Council of Kosovo, EU comments, which according to them, are aimed at improving these bills and ensuring compatibility with the best European standards and practices.

“As regards the Bill on Change and Fulfilling the Law on Public Officials, it is disturbing that the Public Administration Commission, Local Governance, Media and Rural Development has not considered broad advice and conspiracy that the EU has offered during the process of drafting so that the law can be fully related to merit principles, including a separate opinion of the EU Commission issued for the Law on Public Officials at power<1).

The Parliament's “Commission has not addressed key concerns regarding this bill, raised in different EU opinions, particularly regarding the changes that bring legislation to leadership positions and in recruiting procedures, promotion and performance at the civil service”, it is said in the EU's response to Kosovo.

Furthermore, the EU Office in Kosovo said that if such changes are implemented, then they risk undermining civil service professionalism and impartiality.

“especially, it is disturbing that the bill also holds the controversial provision “trotry zero”, which stipulates that with the law's entry into force, the first term of service for civil servants in office and public officials in positions of low and medium-level leadership begins, as this conflicts with the Constitutional Court's decision of 2023. This also risks undermining professionalism and stability in the civil service”, said in response.

As for the current version of the Bill for KPM, the EU Office said it does not reflect the majority of recommendations included in the Legal Opinion prepared by the Council of Europe, including, according to them, sensitive issues such as competencies and financing of the KPM, electoral procedures and service terms for its members, as well as proportional sanctions.

“against the introduction of some essential changes in the area of media regulation, the current draft requires further revisions to improve legal clarity, proportionality and further compliance with EU and Council of Europe standards”, said in response.

On the other hand, regarding the current draft law on changing and fulfilling the Law for the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council, the EU Office said it regrets that Kosovo has not asked an official opinion from the Venice Commission, despite the fact that with the establishment of the Pre-Adherence Commission, the amendments envision a new institutional structure for the appointment of members, not prosecutors.

Therefore, the EU reiterates its strong recommendation to reconsider the Venice Commission for the bill. The EU further stresses with concern that despite our continued advice and support to the government and relevant Assembly commissions, our comments have not been taken into account, including those regarding the rise of plurality and independence of the Pre-Adherent Commission to ensure that the European standard approach of” is said to be further in response.

Furthermore, the EU Office in Kosovo said these bills are key to Kosovo's road to the EU, as they added that the assessment of the approach to European standards would also be crucial for the assessment of progress by the EU Commission in the enlargement report.

And therefore, we call on the country to reconsider once again the proposed completions and changes to ensure that these bills meet EU and European standards by addressing our previous comments and recommendations. After all, good laws and rights that comply with European and international standards are essential for rule of law in democratic societies, as well as for the welfare and protection of citizens”, it says in response.