EU letter office Qalayt: Disillusionment that new KPK composition failed to receive mandate at constitutional gathering

In a letter to the chairman of this meeting, U.D. State chief prosecutor Qalaj, the EU stresses that failure to constitutionalise the Council is particularly disappointing, given that the new KPK composition was meant to mark a key step in the current reform process in the prosecutorial system.

According to the EU, although reform was aimed at strengthening leadership and complying with the prosecutorial system with principles of rule of law, the Council was prevented from receiving its mandate and starting work as it was previously.

Furthermore, the letter says the EU has consistently supported KPK reform in order to reduce corruption and strengthen the prosecutorial system's compliance with the principles of rule of law. It is also stressed that reform has been expected to be implemented in trust, with a sincere commitment to institutional development.

Meanwhile, in this context, the EU Office recalls that it has expressed earlier and repeatedly serious concerns over decisions that have been procedurally irregular and even illegal, undermining reform implementation.

In that sense, the letter reportedly regrets that a controversial approach to the Council's democratic leadership, under the chairmanship of Qalay, has now prevented him from receiving his mandate.

The letter notes that, as a result, the legitimacy of the Council has weakened, while it also undermines the EU's partnership-based commitment with one institution, credibility and commitment to legal, transparent and fair leadership have been questioned.

Thus, Ambassador Orav calls on Qalajt to take all necessary measures under his role and responsibilities to ensure the Council's regular functioning. Meanwhile, it stresses that this requires full respect for legal rules and procedures, properly implemented, as well as avoiding any practice that might be perceived as procedural manipulation or tactical obstruction.

In the end, the EU stresses that the prosecutorial system is a cornerstone of rule of law and that its regular functioning is essential for Kosovo's democratic development and its European path.

Similarly, it is said that the development of the prosecutorial system will remain a continuing commitment of the European Union and a key element of its assessment of the rule of law situation in Kosovo, while the form of future engagement will depend on the credibility of the Council and the fulfilment of the principles of legal, transparent and fair governance.

Similarly, it is said that the development of the prosecutorial system will remain a continuing commitment of the European Union and a key element of its assessment of the rule of law situation in Kosovo, while the form of future engagement will depend on the credibility of Kësilli and the fulfillment of the principles of legal, transparent and just governance.

Otherwise, through a response published on January 21st 2026, the Kosovo Institute for Justice (IKD) has expressed deep concern over the actions of Chief State Prosecutor Agron Qalaj, who, according to them, are directly obstructing reform implementation at the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPK).

According to the IKD, Qalaj is continuing with the old understanding of governance with the Prosecutorial Council, exploiting unfounded legal interpretations of the KKP Secretariat's Legal Office to stall the functioning of the Council and is aiming to preserve a corruptionist mind within the prosecutorial system.

Full letter:

“Honored State Chief Prosecutor on duty,

I have noted that the KKP has failed to establish its basic organisational functions in your January 2026-led Constituent Meeting. This is especially disappointing, given that the Council's new composition was intended to mark a key step in the current reform process, but was still prevented from receiving its mandate and starting work as it was before.

The European Union has consistently supported KPK reform in order to reduce corruption and strengthen the prosecutorial system's compliance with the principles of rule of law. It is expected that reform will be implemented in trust, with a sincere commitment to institutional development. In this context, the EU Office has expressed earlier and repeatedly serious concerns over decisions that have been procedurally irregular and even illegal, undermining reform implementation. In this context, it is unfortunate that a controversial approach to the democratic leadership of the Council, under your leadership, has now prevented him from receiving his mandate.

As a consequence, the legitimacy of the Council has weakened, as well as this undermines the EU's commitment based on partnership with an institution whose credibility and commitment to legal, transparent and fair governance are questioned.

Therefore, I urge you, within your role and responsibilities, to take all necessary measures to ensure the regular functioning of the Council. This requires full respect for legal rules and procedures, properly implemented, as well as for avoiding any practice that might be perceived as procedural or tactical manipulation.

The prosecutorial system is a cornerstone of rule of law, and its regular functioning is essential for Kosovo's democratic development and European road. Development of the prosecutorial system will remain, therefore, a European Union commitment and a key element of its assessment of the rule of law situation in Kosovo. Again, the form of future engagement will depend on the credibility of the Council and the fulfillment of the principles of legitimate, transparent and fair governance.“.