Vlada - Government ANNUAL GOVERNMENT REPORT 2008 ...

Republika e Kosovës Republika Kosovo-Republic of Kosovo Qeveria - Vlada - Government

ANNUAL GOVERNMENT REPORT 2008

Prishtina, December 2008

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Table of Contents: Executive Summary …………………………………………………………………………….3 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………..5 Office of the Prime Minister …………………………………………………………………..8 Regional and International Relations (MPJ) ……………………………………………...41 Finance and Economy …………………………………………………………………………55 Education ……………………………………………………………………………………….68 Energy and Mining ……………………………………………………………………………83 Labor and Social Welfare …………………………………………………………………...87 Health …………………………………………………………………………………………...99 Justice ………………………………………………………………………………………….107 Security and Order …………………………………………………………………………..116 Spatial Planning and Environment ……………………………………………….……….125 Trade and Industry ………………………………………………………………….……….131 Transport and Communication. ………………………………………………….………...150 Culture, Youth, Sports…………………………………………………….………………....157 Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development……………………………………..……165 Public Services…………………………………………………………………………….….182 Local Government……………………………………………………………………………205 Return………………………………………………………………………………………….215 Kosovo Security Force……………………………………………………………………….222

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1. Executive Summary Kosovo Government Annual Report, the first report of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, presents the main developments and achievements of Government of Kosovo as well as the comprehensive progress of the Kosovo society in 2008.

Through this annual report, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo presents its work and achievements towards the accomplishments of aims and objectives: a Kosovo – a state of its citizens, a Kosovo – developed in compliance with democratic principles, a Kosovo – with a sustainable economic development, a Kosovo – a state of rule of law, a Kosovo – a multiethnic society and finally, a Kosovo – clearly committed towards European Integration and Euro-Atlantic processes and other international mechanisms, through the fulfillment of conditions and highest standards of transparency and accountability. The new government, established by PDK-LDK coalition, and other partners, is a result of parliamentary elections, held in November 2007, and derives from the need to establish a new positive, consensual and modern climate as well as a successful management of processes for a better future – a European future. In order to fulfill the will of its citizens, expressed through the free vote, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, during 2008, implemented comprehensive social and political reforms.

The Government of the Republic of Kosovo responded to the needs and requests of citizens of Kosovo and was at their service by applying responsible and transparent policies. These policies will lead Kosovo towards a rapid and sustainable economic growth and a peaceful and safe environment for all its citizens.

The Government is committed to build confidence with all its citizens. Only, through mutual trust and honest and fair cooperation we will be able to accomplish justice for

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all, a more qualitative education and safer investments that would result in a rapid and sustainable socio-economic development.

These policies reflected in the improvement of the wellbeing of all its citizens.

Progress was achieved through a close cooperation with all political and social actors, including the civil society, business community, academic institutions and international partners.

The Government managed to overcome the most important challenge in the history of people of Kosovo, by accomplishing centuries’ long ambitions for freedom and independence and by representing the will of people of Kosovo through the declaration of Kosovo as an independent, sovereign and democratic state.

Independence, as the only solution for the people of Kosovo, for the interest of peace and stability in the country and region, was achieved in close cooperation with international community and with their strong support.

The Government led the process of declaration of independence, and the consequent celebrations showed extraordinary maturity of the people of Kosovo by celebrating the realization of their will in a very dignified manner. This proved, before the world, that Kosovo has a responsible state and people as members of international community and civilized world.

Kosovo’s independence, this new and permanent reality, up to date, is recognized by fifty four states, comprising more than seventy percent of world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), seven members of the G-8 and eighty one percent of the member states of European Union.

Recognition, inter alia, means the opportunity of cooperation at state level and raises the need to functionalize local institutions, which was achieved by the Government through

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capacity building in line Ministries and public administration, and the funding of their action plans with the first budget of the independent Kosovo. This budget is already covering our needs as an independent state and leads Kosovo towards economic independence.

On 15 June 2008, the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo entered into force, including legislation from Ahtisaari’s Settlement Document. All social and political development processes are based on principles and provisions of the Constitution, guaranteeing territorial sovereignty and equality of all citizens before law.

The will, aim and final destination of Kosovo is European Union. The aim of Kosovo to join the EU derives from the wide public consensus and requires serious efforts of government institutions within the formal process of pre-accession and to ensuring the status of the candidate country.

As a result of the work of Government, EU confirmed the first step of Kosovo towards the European Union, the so-called feasibility study, which is expected to be completed in autumn 2009. As part of Government commitment for EU integration, the consolidation of governmental institutions will continue towards the accomplishment of Copenhagen criteria: political and economic criteria, and European standards. 2. Introduction

The top priority of Government of Kosovo continues to be the intensification of economic development. Economic growth will be achieved through the increase in investments, further privatization and restructuring of publicly-owned enterprises, increase in the economic competitive ability and increase in exports.

Government of Kosovo applied policies aiming to: economic growth, decrease the level of unemployment, improve social conditions and reduce poverty. In order to be

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competitive with countries of the region, Government of Kosovo engaged in the establishment of a convenient environment to attract foreign direct investments.

Government of Kosovo has undertaken reforms to adopt Kosovo’s policies in order to achieve the level of economic development with countries of the region. These reforms will continue in the years to come, with the purpose of creating conditions for a sustainable economic growth.

Government of Kosovo will continue to be focused on the following areas: Rule of Law, Transport, Energy and Mining, Education, Agriculture, Tax Policies and Administration as well as Financial Sector.

Commitment to the preservation of sustainable macroeconomic and fiscal policies, effective implementation of public capital expenditure and the use of initiatives such as Public-Private Partnerships (PPP’s) were given priority in the work of the Government.

Government also aims to conduct as rationally as possible the process of strategic privatizations and similar policies in order to avoid constraints to development created by the unsustainable supply with energy – privatization of supply and distribution as well as the bid for New Kosovo – and the unutilized potential of mineral capacities.

A priority of the Government is the rule of law, in particular the improvement of efficiency of judicial system and fighting of negative occurrences such as corruption, organized crime and informal economy in general.

Regulation of the Airport through concessions and review of solutions from the private sector to improve competitiveness in the sector of communications also serve to the same ends. Another Government priority remains the implementation of the major program of Highways’ Infrastructure, together with the maintenance and reparation of existing roads.

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In the sector of education, it is worth mentioning the continuous and intensive improvement of school infrastructure, basic curricula at all levels, improvement of assessment methods, commencement of the process of certification for teachers and extending the use of information technology (IT) into schools (licensing and accreditation).

In the agricultural sector, the enlargement of irrigation systems and initiation of the process of land consolidation, in order to increase productivity and efficiency of the agricultural sector, remain the main priorities.

Being Constitutional obligations, special attention was paid to decentralization, the area of security, establishment of new institutions and minorities.

Implementing the decentralization process continues to be part of Government agenda as an ambitious program with multiple benefits for the people of Kosovo.

Community rights and sustainable return of internally displaced persons represent vital issues to the harmonization of social structures in the independent Kosovo.

The establishment of the Ministry of the Security Force, and the Security Force itself, comprise crucial steps in the modern history of armed forces for the accomplishment of contemporary standards. The achievement of these standards will create a safe basis for full integration of Kosovo within Euro-Atlantic structures.

Government remains committed to actions for the establishment of a fully functional Constitutional Court, as a guarantor of the constitutional order.

With an aim of intensifying diplomatic relations, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo has established the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MPJ). The establishment of

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diplomatic relations, with key international partners, remains one of the central activities of the Government.

In the field of good governance, Government of Kosovo was committed to Public Administration Reform, Public Finance Management, fighting corruption and improving the execution of capital expenditures. Initiation of the Civil Service Functional Review is a pragmatic requirement in order to establish criteria and standards for a modern civil service competent to respond efficiently to challenges faced by Kosovo.

Adoption of Government policies with the EU ones is a necessary process to realize long-term aims of the Government, but simultaneously the aspiration of people of Kosovo for European integration.

Government of Kosovo pays special attention to the improvement of performance of Government institutions dealing with collection and spending of public funds. Improving the functioning and operation of Tax Administration and Customs of Kosovo remains a challenge for the consolidation of the state of Kosovo.

Social welfare and health services continue to be a concern of the Government of Kosovo. Despite this, the measures undertaken by the Government had an impact to the continuous improvement of pension, health and other social transfer services.

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3. OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER 3.1 Government Coordination Secretariat Government Coordination Secretariat prepared all meetings of the Government and conducted the following tasks: coordination with ministries for the preparation of agenda; analyze materials proposed for the Government agenda by Ministries; provision of comments for the Prime Minister for each item of the agenda; handling of Ministries’ materials as presented and their distribution for preliminary information of Ministers before the next Government meeting; preparation of minutes from Government meetings and 29 minutes from meetings with Permanent Secretaries, their distribution with conclusions and respective decisions from each meeting.

During this year, 48 Government meetings were organized and attended; 416 decisions, and 48 minutes and transcripts drafted. Also, 48 extended agendas for the Prime Minister were drafted and 48 agendas for Government meetings.

Weekly meetings of Permanent Secretaries of Ministries of Government of Kosovo were organized and held. Also, meeting agendas and minutes were drafted, materials collected and technical assistance provided for the distribution of these materials.

For 36 plenary sessions of the Assembly of Kosovo, held during this year, the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, all Ministers and Ministries’ Permanent Secretaries were informed in writing, together with all necessary materials and the agenda for the plenary session.

For 41 plenary sessions of the Assembly of Kosovo, held during this year, the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, all Ministers and Ministries’ Permanent Secretaries

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were informed in writing, together with all necessary materials and the agenda for the plenary session.

A total of 221 (two hundred and twenty one) parliamentary questions from MP’s addressed to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers were received and respective memos were prepared to inform them to prepare answers to these questions. Activities were coordinated with the Department of Legal and Procedural Affairs of the Assembly and with Parliamentary Committees on issues dealing with passing laws from the Government to the Assembly. Also, materials, memos and draft laws, to be reviewed and approved by the Assembly, were sent, including the tracking of legislative pace for each draft law, by recording development stages from the approval by the Government – Assembly up to the promulgation by the President.

During the reporting period, 69 laws have been approved through the regular procedure, whereas another 50 laws, deriving from Ahtisaari’s Settlement Document, have been approved by the Government through a special procedure and forwarded to the Assembly.

With an aim of better coordination of tasks with line Ministries, unification of forms of reporting and work planning, preparation of quarterly reports, annual report and annual work plan, two workshops have been organized on: ¾

Harmonization of the Work Plan with Government Program, EPAP, MTEF and

Legislative Strategy; and ¾

Process of preparation of Annual Report for 2008 and preparation of the Annual

Work Plan for 2009. Preparation of few basic documents to initiate the drafting of the work report and plan for the coming year.

On the basis of recommendations deriving from these workshops, Ministries have drafted their work reports for 2008 and work plans for 2009. This enabled them to present clearly their aimed objectives and results achieved.

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From the beginning of the year, with a decision of Permanent Secretary, GCS took responsibilities for the coordination of activities for the implementation of European integration process for the Office of the Prime Minister.

The establishment of this liaison mechanism had an impact to the improvement and facilitation of accomplishment of OPM obligations deriving from priorities provided for by European Commission.

A reassessment of training needs with regards to European issues for officers of the Office of the Prime Minister has been conducted, and during this year, 12 rounds of courses have been held on basic knowledge on European Union.

As part of ministerial coordination, participation in regular meetings of boards of directors of line Ministries, have continued and reports were prepared from these meetings. Also, quarterly reports for the implementation of Government decisions have been drafted as well as a mid-year review of the Government work plan.

Various materials for spending agencies have been reviewed on the basis of which Government decisions were made. Due to new circumstances, we were engaged in the drafting of OPM budgetary request for 2008, OPM budgetary review and preparation of report on budgetary hearings for 2009-2011.

During this year, 533 citizens were received for direct meetings and citizens written requests-complains were received from various regions of Kosovo, including a significant number from members of various communities living in Kosovo.

Replies to citizens’ requests have continued and, depending on the nature of the request, we provided instructions to citizens to address relevant institutions in order to resolve their concrete issues. In certain cases, we corresponded with ministries and few municipalities of Kosovo.

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3.2 Office of Legal Support Services During the reporting period, engagements were focused on the implementation of legislative strategy from Ministries’ sectorial policies and, in particular, the implementation of legislative obligations deriving from Annex XII of Ahtisaari’s Settlement Document. We also worked on the implementation of Public Administration Reform Plan and European Partnership Action Plan (EPAP). Efforts towards the accomplishment of this mandate and duties will be presented in this report, as follows: During this reporting period 33 draft laws have been approved through the regular procedure, 26 have been reprocessed whereas 5 were reviewed and approved by the Government and forwarded to the Assembly, which makes a total of 64 draft laws. Another 51 draft laws, deriving from Ahtisaari’s Settlement Document, have been approved through a special procedure, which means that Government approved, and reprocessed, 115 draft laws during this year. 61 decisions on the establishment of working groups, according to Regulation 2007/01 have been compiled. Also, 31 draft laws approved by the Government and forwarded to the Assembly were drawn up, assessed and harmonized with the Constitution (Constitutional Framework), other legislation in Kosovo and European Standards.

With regards to secondary legislation, 19 administrative instructions have been prepared by Ministries and OPM, and approved by the Government. 70 comments and replies as well as 20 law presentation speeches were drafted and coordinated with Deputy Prime Ministers Kuci and Manaj as part of reporting before the Committee on Legal Collision. Also, there were engagements within the office with regards to the activities of the Committee on monitoring law implementation.

3.3 Official Gazette

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In compliance with competencies and responsibilities of the OMAOG, defined by the Law on Publication of Official Gazette and on the basis of OMAOG work plan for 2008 the Official Gazette, during 2008, published all legal acts approved by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo and decreed by the President of the Republic of Kosovo. Also, other acts, approved by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and ICO Decisions were published as well as one hundred and twenty-eight (128) laws in a printed form. All laws has been published in five languages (Albanian, English, Serb, Bosnian and Turkish), in a total of twenty-five (25) editions of the Official Gazette and the two Indexes, as special editions. The same were also published in the web page of the Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo: - 64 laws promulgated by the SRSG; - 23 laws decreed by the President of the Republic of Kosovo; - 41 laws that were part of President Ahtisaari’s Settlement Document; and - 2 INDEXES, summarizing all laws published during 2006/2007 and 2008

Also, the following legal acts and memos have been published in the web page: The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, the Resolution of the Assembly, the Customs Code, the Government Rules of Procedure, 13 ICO Decisions and 18 Administrative Instructions of the Government.

OMAOG prepared and replied to many official memos addressed to the Office of Official Gazette by institutions and citizens of Kosovo. During 2008, OMAOG concluded 13 Memoranda of Understanding for the subscription to OGRK with various institutions of the country and few international institutions.

3.4 Office of the Council for Regional Cooperation

As part of activities and engagements on transformation/representation of Kosovo (in compliance with transformation) into South-Eastern Europe, we may emphasize the following:

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Transformation of SP for SEE into a Regional Cooperation Council – RCC; the former Stability Pact Office (established since 2002 within OPM), with a decision of the Prime Minister (No. 228/08, dated, 19.11.2008) has been transformed into the Office of the Regional Cooperation Council within the Office of the Prime Minister.

Also, a Prime Minister’s decision, No. 046/08, dated, 11. 09.2008), appointed the National Coordinator of the Council for Regional Cooperation.

Regional Cooperation Council inherited the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. On the basis of decisions made in Regional Round Tables in 2006, SEECP Summit, Cooperation Process in South-Eastern Europe and Regional Round Table in Zagreb (May 2007), transformed the Stability Pak into the Regional Cooperation Council.

Thus, Stability Pact for SEE will continue its functioning through the so-called mechanism: Regional Cooperation Council.

Regional Cooperation Council acts to accomplish plans and projects with joint interests of governments of South-Eastern Europe.

Participation in the financing of activities of the Regional Cooperation Council provides Kosovo with equal rights as other states of the region.

The Republic of Kosovo, through RCC, is committed to be represented with dignity and actively, at all regional initiatives, by intensifying Kosovo’s efforts to assume a decisionmaking role in these processes as other states in the region, in particular after the status settlement.

On the basis of priority areas for cooperation, within RCC framework and on the basis of RCC Secretary General letter sent to SEECP Prime Ministers and UN Special Representative in Kosovo, with regards to RCC authority – Coordinators for the monitoring of various activities of regional cooperation and implementation of projects

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for all relevant ministries (item 6 from the RCC Secretariat Report of Activities, from the meeting of RCC Board in Sarajevo, on 6 October 2008).

Under the auspices of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, at the same time, Chair of SEECP for 2008, in cooperation with SEE Stability Pact and European Commission in Sofia, Bulgaria, the last meeting of the Regional Round Table and the Inauguration meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council for South Easter Europe was held, whereby the formal transfer of responsibilities from SEE Stability Pact to Regional Cooperation Council was conducted - Dr. Erhard Busek, Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe transferred responsibilities to Mr. Hido Biscevic, Secretary General of the Council.

The Round Table emphasized the main role played by the South Eastern Europe Cooperation Process for the transition of Stability Pact and the general importance of relation between SEECP and RCC, whose residence will be in Sarajevo and a liaison office in Brussels. An Agreement of Understanding was signed on the establishment of Regional Cooperation Council as well as Rules of Procedure of the Council Board. Also, in Bulgaria, on 28 February, Kosovo was represented in the SEECP meeting at the level of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Kosovo is not a full member of the forum, but only as an observer.

Dr. Busek, former Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe visited Kosovo, where he met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of the Government of Kosovo, by emphasizing the need for engagement on the position of RCC for Kosovo, since Kosovo, after the declaration of independence, aims to be further connected to other countries of the region for further developments towards the EU. Dr. Busek, inter alia, claimed that Kosovo’s development will be successful on the basis of abilities to establish relations for cooperation with other counties of South and East Europe.

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Also, Dr. Busek, during his visit, met with Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. L. Zharku and Minister of Energy and Mining, Mrs. J. Pula, and discussed on further steps regarding CEFTA, Energy Community Treaty, etc.

As part of visits/political consultations with member states of the Regional Cooperation Council of South Easter European, Mr. Biscevic, Secretary General, visited Kosovo and met with Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Kuci, Head of UNMIK, Mr. Zannier as well as Head of International Civilian Office, Mr. Pieter Feith. On this occasion, he urged Prishtina to participate in regional development projects and emphasized the importance of active engagement in particular in the sector of energy and infrastructure, since this engagement and participation is necessary for the stability and prosperity of the entire region.

As part of RCC representation – the Republic of Kosovo was represented by the National Coordinator of the Regional Coordination Council Mr. Lirak Celaj, as well as RCC Coordinator from UNMIK, Mr. Shahzad Bangash, at the meeting of RCC National Coordinators for South-Eastern Europe on 7 November 2008 in Sarajevo. It was debated on priorities of regional cooperation and harmonization of activities and strategies with the RCC work Program for 2008-2009. Also, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo received formal letter and, after which, RCCO initiated the issue of financial obligations deriving from membership to RCC contribution/obligation of Government of Kosovo to the RCC Secretariat - amounting at 40.000 Euro. At the meeting of SEE Stability Pact Round Table in Bucharest, (November 2006), this amount was formally agreed, depending on the group and on the basis of agreed annual contribution (the Republic of Kosovo is at the group with 4% of total amount). 3.5 Office of Good Governance The Republic of Kosovo Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan for 2009-2011 has been approved. This was drafted under the coordination of Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Human Rights’ Cells within Ministries of the Government as well

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as in cooperation with international organizations such as Council of Europe, European Commission, Finish Government, OSCE, UNDP, UNICEF, UNIFEM, ECMI, local and international NGO’s as well as representatives of civil society and independent experts in the area of human rights. OPM in cooperation with KFOS and OSCE, during 2008, continued with activities on coordination of the steering committee and the drafting of the strategy on integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, respectively its finalization. On 24 December 2008, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo approved the Strategy on Integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities in Kosovo for the period 2009 – 2015. Strategy on Integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities represents a special contribution to the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to built a climate of tolerance, conciliation and mutual respect among various communities living in Kosovo as well as to enable a political dialogue between the Republic of Kosovo and countries in which representatives of these communities live, including specialized agencies such as IOM, UNHCR etc, in order to keep the process under control.

The Strategy identified and defines the most priority duties; on the one hand provides measures to resolve special problems and on the other hand includes measures that aim at general improvement of the state of human rights and integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. Strategy’s recommendations do not aim to supersede general political documents, but to provide fruitful and realistic recommendations for the improvement of position of these three communities’ at all relevant sectors.

The Government of the Republic of Kosovo has followed the principle of integration in equal opportunities and is committed to guarantee the respect of identity and national belonging of the members of these communities by fighting any form of discrimination. The Strategy, primarily, addresses the improvement of conditions of RAE communities living in Kosovo, but also provides recommendations for the reintegration of returnees.

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The process of drafting the Strategy followed a participatory and rights-based approach. In the process of drafting, there was a dialogue between the “carrier of duties” and the “carriers of rights” and continuation of cooperation and communication was envisaged during the entire implementation and monitoring process, thus creating ownership over the strategy and mutual understanding. Participatory approach resulted in effective participation of government representatives and representatives of three communities; it also included representatives of civil society organizations from the majority. Round tables and regional conferences during the preparatory stage have successfully served to the purpose of including a wide range of actors from the Government and communities. This approach guarantees a successful implementation and a wide support of the entire society. During October and November, OPM has drafted and finalized the report, and simultaneously reported before the United Nations Committee in Geneva, on 10 and 11 November 2008, on obligations of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo from the International Treaty on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights.

Office of Good Governance, in cooperation with Centre for Human Rights within University of Prishtina, funded by FES, since June 2008, initiated a series of debates on: “Human Rights in Kosovo: Legislation, politics and practices”. From June until now, 5 debates have been organized, whereas another three are ongoing.

For the purpose of functioning of sustainable, institutional, professional and responsible mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights and reporting on observance and accomplishment of obligations of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo with regards to implementation of international standards, Office of Good Governance, during 2008, continued with activities on capacity building and strengthening of Human Rights’ Cells in all Ministries of Government of Kosovo.

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Achievements ¾

The Program/Plan on capacity building and professional development of

Human Rights Cells has been drafted and finalized; ¾

Implementation of the capacity building plan for Human Rights Cells for 2008 is

ongoing; ¾

Coordination of activities with Cells, Ombudsperson, OSCE, Council of Europe,

High Commissioner on Human Rights and other partners has continued; ¾

Implementation of Administrative Instruction on functionalizing of Cells is

ongoing, in particular with regards to the completion of staff, as provided for by AI04/2007. ¾

Positive

results

have

been

achieved

towards

the

strengthening

and

functionalizing of Cells and cooperation among Cells and Ombudsperson of Kosovo. Under the auspices of OPM/OGG, the following events were organized: - 8 March, International Day of Women - 8 April, International Day of Roma - 26 June, International Day against Torture 3.6 Anti-Discrimination Activities In May 2008, Office of Good Governance published the manual on the Law against Discrimination and Administrative Instruction on its implementation into 5 languages: Albanian, Serb, Bosnian, Turkish and Roma. Publication of this manual aimed at facilitating the life of citizens of Kosovo regardless of their language, and simultaneously to implement a comprehensive campaign against discrimination declared by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo in September 2008.

The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, at its 34th meeting, held on 3 September 2008, declared September 2008, as the Month against Discrimination in Kosovo. Under the slogan “All Equal and without Discrimination”, a series of activities have been developed, on the basis of the plan prepared by Office of Good Governance, in

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cooperation with Human Rights’ Cells in line Ministries, municipalities, civil society as well as local and international partners. During this month, apart from many workshops and seminars, the manual-brochure on Anti-Discrimination Law and Administrative Instruction for its implementation in Braille Alphabet and in regional languages (Albanian, Serb, Bosnian, Turkish and Roma) have been published and distributed.

To this end, Office of Good Governance oriented its activities at two levels, central and local.

Within the comprehensive campaign against discrimination, Office of Good Governance organized a series of activities at local level and one day debates at the following municipalities: Peja, Prizren, Rahovec, Ferizaj, Viti, etc.

3.7 Activities on minority rights and equal opportunities Framework Convention on Protection of National Minorities is part of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and its legislation, and as a consequence, is applicable in Kosovo.

Office of Good Governance (OPM), in cooperation with Ministry for Returns and Communities, initiated the project “Explanation and Facilitation of Accomplishment of Recommendations of the Council of Europe Ministers to Institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.” OGG has drafted a summary of laws on the rights and interests of minorities, which represents an action point on the European Partnership Action Plan.

OGG, in cooperation and with financial assistance of OSCE, completed the implementation of the project on research of the level, forms and presence of discrimination. This project involved two important sectors: civil society and civil

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service central administration with regards to the forms of discrimination in working place. Office of the Prime Minister chairs the inter-ministerial working group against corruption in the group for the drafting of the anti-corruption strategy, initiated by AntiCorruption Agency. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, on 24 December 2008, approved the AntiCorruption Strategy for 2009 – 2011.

An important aspect is the drafting of the agreement of cooperation between OGG and ACA, in order to define, clearly, duties and areas of responsibilities for both actors. This would help in clarification and separation of responsibilities and would strengthen cooperation between the two institutions in the fight against corruption.

During 2008, Office of the Prime Minister was active in the area of equal opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. As a result, significant progress has been made in this area, and the results achieved represent a good basis for continuation of work in 2009. The main achievement and, at the same time, the most important one, in this area, is the drafting of the first draft of the National Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities, published on 3 December 2008. Also, in cooperation with the Association of the Blind and Impaired Sight Persons of the Republic of Kosovo, the International Week of the Person with White Stick has been marked in Kosovo. Another activity organized by OGG/OPM, in cooperation with organization the “Little People of Kosova” during September – Month against Discrimination – was the marking of the Day on Equal Professional Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.

On 3 December 2008, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo approved the decision on reactivating and reorganizing the National Council on Persons with Disabilities. Reactivization and reorganization of this Council is of special importance, since this is the

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main institutional mechanism for the coordination of actions with all government institutions at central and local level. This Council has a consultative and recommending character for the Government and Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, whereas OGG serves as a Secretariat to develop and maintain necessary activities for the work of the Council in order for it to address in the best possible manner the needs of Persons with Disabilities.

3.8 The Rights of the Child The drafting of the Strategic Framework on the Rights of the Child for a three year period 2009-2011 has commenced. The timeline for the finalization of this document is March – April 2009. Inter-ministerial Committee on the Rights of the Child has been established with a Government decision in December 2008. It is a body with a high level of representation, comprising Ministers and led by the Prime Minister.

The Issue of the Missing Persons On the basis of Declaration of United Nations on Missing Persons, Resolution of United Nations 47/133, Geneva Convention of 1949 as well as other universal acts on human rights, Resolution of Assembly of Kosovo, dated 10 April 2003, Declaration of Assembly of Kosovo dated 21 July 2005 and Government Decision No. 05/219, dated 10 October 2006, as well as taking into account the need to resolve the fate of the missing persons, regardless of ethnic and religious belonging, the Government Committee on Missing Persons (GCMP) evaluates that among the most severe consequences of military operations in Kosovo during 1997, ’98 and ’99, are the missing persons. Taking into account that the issue of the missing persons is a complex one, with political, criminal, forensic and humanitarian scopes, make this process even more difficult giving him a present and permanent character.

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Elevating the level of organization of the activity on missing persons into a higher level imposed the need to review the mandate, duties, modalities, functionality, cooperation with international organizations, government and non-government, and in particular associations of families of the missing persons.

With an aim of accomplishing its mission, Government Committee worked in close cooperation and coordination with the present international mission in Kosovo, and in particular with International Committee on Missing Persons (ICMP) as well as International Committee of Red Cross Committee (ICRCC).

Achievements: ¾ The marking of 27 April – Day of Missing Persons; ¾ Drafting the Strategy-Plan of Government Committee to resolve the fate of missing persons; ¾ Cooperation with associations and families of missing persons; ¾ Increase in capacity and functioning of the Government Committee on Missing Persons; ¾ Establishing the data base on missing persons; ¾ Initiation of the drafting of the Law on Missing Persons (law is being reviewed by the Government working group); ¾ Initiation of the regional dialogue on missing persons; ¾ Resolution of the problem of mortal remains in the Prishtina morgue; ¾ Cooperation with MPMS on the assessment of socio-economic position of families of missing persons; ¾ Functioning of Municipal committees on missing persons; ¾ The marking of 30 August – International Day of the Missing Persons;

OPM has a fund on missing persons, which covers expenses for activities dealing with reburials of identified persons.

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With an aim of accomplishing these objectives all organizations involved, Government Committee on Missing Persons, International Committee on Missing Persons, Office on Missing Persons and Forensics, International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and Associations of Families have cooperated in coordination of tasks, division of roles and responsibilities as well as other forms of cooperation.

3.9 Diaspora For a better cooperation among institutions of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and schooling institutions, dealing with complementary teaching in Albanian language in Europe, USA and Australia, we have worked with various schools in Albanian language in Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Australia and USA. Schools were provided with the “Curricula for Complementary Teaching in Albanian in Diaspora.”

The draft outline for the realization of TV ABC-Book has been prepared.

From 4 until 8 August, as part of “Days of Kosovar Movies for Diaspora”, in cooperation with “Kosova Film” and “Cinema ABC” in Prishtina, 5 Kosovo movies have been played in order to make a better reception of compatriots, who visited this year Kosovo in greater numbers.

The draft National Action Plan for Diaspora has been prepared. Inter-state meetings were organized with representatives on National Diaspora Institute of Albania and representatives of Emigration Agency of Macedonia, with regards to the functioning of institutional actions of Diaspora.

We had the opening and enlargement of the first Library of Kosovo in Switzerland.

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A joint study visit was organized to the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Croatia and Albanian Union in Croatia. The visit was conducted with regards to the collection of materials for the drafting of the law on Diaspora and the exchange of experiences.

The web-page has been designed and is already functional, but is being tested for final execution. We have also established a data base for compatriots and a data base with the most important links of Diaspora web pages and government institutions as well as host countries.

A report/study has been prepared on the state of Albanian emigration in Switzerland and Germany. The report/study comprises valuable data on the history, state of affairs, political, economic and cultural opportunities as well as integration of our emigration.

The preparation of the draft law on Diaspora has entered into its final stage. 3.10 Communication with Citizens OPM informed media, on daily basis, on the activities of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers and the Office of the Prime Minister and Government of the Republic of Kosovo. Out of these activities, PCO prepared and distributed 229 reports on monitoring of local and regional media. These reports were forwarded to advisors, directors of OPM offices and OPM Permanent Secretary. The Office prepared and organized 96 press conferences from Prime Minister’s meeting and 4 for the Deputy Prime Minister.

3.11 Confidence Building among Communities Prime Minister’s activities on confidence building among communities were covered with special commitment and engagement. These activities include: ¾ Visit to village Rubovc, Municipality of Lipjan, with a mixed ethnic population and donation of a tractor for the family of Mr. Slavisha Sllavkovic, inhabitant of this village;

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¾ Visits to villages Baja and Syrigane, Municipality of Skenderaj, habited with a Serb majority; ¾ Visit to village Recan, Municipality of Prizren, habited by the Bosnian community.

3.12 Building the Confidence of Citizens in Government Since Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi became the Prime Minister of the Government, all meetings of the Government were organized and held with open doors for the media. Also, with the initiative of Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi a more advanced and effective form of communication with citizens has been introduced. Prime Minister Thaçi dedicated a whole day for direct meetings with citizens, where citizens had the chance to address their social, political, economical and other concerns and preoccupations. Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi participated in round tables, debates and open meetings with citizens held throughout the territory of Kosovo. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, headed by Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, held its open-doors meetings in some of the main cities of the country. This practice of communication and realization of Government projects in municipalities will be continued in the future. With the proposal of the Public Communication Office of the Office of Prime Minister, advanced technical and digital preparations are ongoing in order to record and save all Government meetings into a digital system of archiving, and eventually, to broadcast them directly in national radios and televisions of the Republic of Kosovo.

3.13 Administration Office

Led impartial employment policies, promoted equal and competitive opportunities for all employees of the Office of the Prime Minister regardless of ethnic and gender belonging, gender, age, religion or political orientations. During this period, Division on Human Resources drafted 30 decisions on appointments and employment.

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The entire staff of the Office of the Prime Minister has been supported in the area of information technology by the Division of Information Technology in order to facilitate communication and operation with technological equipment. The number of employees served by IT Division is around 280, including Agency for Gender Equality, Agency for European Integration, Archives of Kosovo and Regional Archives and Office on NonResidential Issues.

Translations and interpretations, consecutive and simultaneous, by officers of Language Divisions have been conducted on the basis of requests and needs. A total of 1700.5 pages of materials have been translated, out of which 458 from Albanian into English and vice versa, 1242.5 pages from Albanian to Serb language and vice versa. 525,55 hours of consecutive and simultaneous interpretation have been conducted, out of which 289,55 hours from Albanian into English and vice versa, and 235 hours from Albanian into Serb and vice versa. Also, 233.5 pages have been proofread in Albanian language and 405 pages in Serb language.

3.14 General Audit Report General Audit held on February 2007, came out with the following recommendations: implementation of legislation in the area of employment; observance of recruitment procedures – avoiding employment without public advertisement; implementation of administrative instructions with regards to the use of vehicles and expenditure and the management of assets. Administrative Office has undertaken measures to draft a plan with regards to the management of vehicles and this plan was sent to the Permanent Secretary for approval, but it has not been approved yet. Some officers could not be convinced to complete the travel form when using official vehicles, despite the fact that this was one of audit recommendations. With a better management, we achieved to decrease expenses for the maintenance of vehicles.

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We haven’t managed to decrease entirely the over-expenditure in landline and mobile phone lines as provided for by administrative instruction. However, measures have been undertaken, starting from January 2009, to allocate landline phone expenditures in particular for Agency for European Integration, Agency for Gender Equality, Office for Non-Residential Issues and support projects to Prime Minister.

3.15 Archive and Registration Office 4792 various incoming and outgoing documents have been registered. All these have been recorded in the book of protocol, in the Archive computer (data base) and filed physically on the basis of Departments. INDEXES •

Office of the Prime Minister Archive Data Base enables, the following: ¾ Draw indexes on the basis of protocol number ¾ Draw indexes on the basis of the date ¾ Draw indexes on special sectors ¾ Document view ¾ Document print, if necessary ¾ Apply the list of timelines (valorization) for all documents registered in the data base.

3.16 Kosovo State Archive During 2008, a number of tasks and duties have been performed. We are presenting some of the main ones: Declaration of Independence - Received a copy of Declaration of Independence and its archiving in the Archive of Kosovo in a solemn event by the Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo.

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Scientific symposium: On the occasion of 90th anniversary of the Committee of Kosovo, in Prishtina, on 8 November 2008, a scientific session was held, in cooperation with the General Directorate of Archives of Albania and the Institute of History of Prishtina; also, participation and presentation and co-organization of the scientific conference on the occasion of 130th anniversary of the Albanian League of Prizren on 10 June 2008.

Legislation: In cooperation with OPM, a draft on elevating the status of the Archive in the level of the Agency has been prepared. Law on Amendments to Law on Archives and Archive Materials (No. 2003.7) has been approved, including the elevation of Archive into the level of the Agency – the Kosovo State Archives Agency. This has also been approved by the Assembly of Kosovo. The new organizational chart for the Agency has been prepared.

International Cooperation: A Protocol of Inter-Archive Cooperation has been signed between the General Directorate of Archives of Albania and Kosovo State Archive on 24 June 2008; a lecture by an expert from Kosovo into the scientific round table “International Day of Archivists” in Trieste, Italy (19-23 November 2008), subject: Private Archive Materials in Kosovo; Participation of archivists from all continents of the world – Instruction to Turkish KFOR for the war of Qanakala; The project of scientific symposium “Kosovo and Ottoman Empire in Archive Documents”, in cooperation with Turkish Agency “TIKA”.

Inspection service: Visits and inspections to respective services of Archive of Kosovo into 7 regional and municipal archives with regards to protection, regulation, classification, assessment,

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preservation etc. of archive materials; visits to 72 points concerning official management and protection of archive materials; receiving archive materials from the District Court of Gjilan, criminal cases, around 30m long, years 1978-1999; receiving documents (an archive box) of the Kosovo-Albania border from the Kosovo Cadastral Agency; receiving archive materials from two private possessors, important for the historical past of Kosovo; Receiving archive materials from OSCE, respectively the “Banka e Lublanes” fund, unit in Prishtina, 1972-1998.

The book on incoming inventory has been completed; texts for the Kosovo Archive web page prepared; oriental manuscripts have been classified and placed into a special place in the storage; new forms for the use of archive materials compiled. Supplying of 362 researches with archive materials visiting the archive; 402 requests that were addressed to Archives of Kosovo by parties have been reviewed and resolved; Provision of a special safe for specific and important documents; Computerization of received materials by District Court of Gjilan;

Compiling the analytical and summary inventory for geographic maps, a total of 260 maps; compiling the register for materials of the Basic United Labor Court of Gjakova; regulation and processing of the materials of the Province Secretariat for People’s Protection, 7 archive boxes; digitalization – regulation of lightening of microframes of the Vienna fund, sig. II, for 12.900 documents; scanning microfilms of the Vienna Fund and 8700 other documents; conservation and restoration of more than 2500 pages of damaged documents of the District Court of Prizren, muftis and others in the period between the two world wars; conversion of 52 tapes from 1990-2002, with regards to the events in Kosovo in the most contemporary technique of protection and use.

During this period, the first stage (registering), the following collections and funds have been processed: Province Secretariat for Health and Social Policy (division by alphabet, various personality decisions in years 1965-1970; Province Secretariat on Urbanization, Housing and Social Issues, systemizing, classification, selection, by themes and registers,

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mixed years 1956 – 1992, 60 fascicles; Province Directorate on Legal-Property Issues, classification, systemizing by alphabet and type, year 1975, 105 fascicles.

Province Secretariat for Industry, Communication and Trade, classification, regulation, selection etc., 1966- 1972, 60 boxes; Province Secretariat for Education, Culture and Science, 1958-1960, final tasks for the classification of archive materials, 180 fascicles; Province Secretariat for Jurisprudence and Administration, years 1984-1988, claims, amnesties, registers and other, 140 fascicles.

Documents on ottoman language Regulation, processing, decoding of four archive boxes with ottoman documents in various years and periods, mainly XIX-XX centuries; registration of documents researched in ottoman archives.

Expositions: Publishing activity of Kosovo Archive, into a joint showcase with many states of the world, 21 – 27 July 2008, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Committee on National Protection of Kosovo, 8 November 2008 in Prishtina and 14 November 2008 in Gjakova; Demonstrations of 1968, (26 November 2008).

3.17 Support provided to KLA War Associations During this year, the following activities have been realized: 8.000 euro per month have been allocated for three Associations, a total of 96,000 Euro; the project of summer vacations in cooperation with MPMS amounting at 150.000 Euro has been realized; for the regulation of prosthesis of war invalids a sum of 150.000 Euro have been allocated; and 125.000 Euro from the MPMS have been allocated for food, heating etc.

Office of the Prime Minister has allocated 6.500 Euro, on the basis of the request of KLA WVO, for families of killed veterans.

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Also, OPM, in cooperation with MPMS, covered expenses for 450 members of Associations for 10 days in the institutions of Kllokot and Peja; one-off expenses were 150 Euro, which makes a total of 67500 Euro.

4. AGENCY FOR GENDER EQUALITY Agency for Gender Equality, as an executive body of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, has the legal mandate and comprehensive commitment to draft and monitor policies, programs and legislation to ensure equal gender opportunities and to encourage women in improving their position in restructuring and development of capacities to implement gender equality, as an important element for the functioning of democratic institutions.

4.1 Kosovo Program on Gender Equality Kosovo Program on Gender Equality represents the strategic program on integration of gender equality in public policies and programs of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. This document was approved by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo on 24 April 2008. 4.2 Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women CEDAW

AGE, on the basis of LGE, Article 5, item 5.2 (e) prepared reports for Kosovo on accomplishment of international obligations in the area of gender equality, which were approved by the Government.

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Agency for Gender Equality is drafting the Report on implementation of legislation and practices in Kosovo for the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which should be presented by the Government of Kosovo until December 2008 before the United Nations Security Council. This Report will be structured on the basis of CEDAW Committee criteria, will be comprehensive and will aim at listing the state of Kosovo among the states that will ratify the UN CEDAW Convention. Report on CEDAW Convention reflects the situation of gender equality and issues under the de jure (legal) and de facto (real, in the ground) perspectives.

4.3. Research on Domestic Violence AGE initiated a project of research on the level of domestic violence in compliance with parameters based on international standards, in order to draft the Strategy against Domestic Violence, as a legislative precursor sanctioning equality, non-discrimination and women’s position in the political and social area in Kosovo. Research was supported by the Women’s Safety Initiative and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. Research was focused on acts of psychological, physical, sexual and economic abuse addressed against women/children, elderly, the handicapped or other members of the family by their intimate partners of family. The ambitious research project aimed at addressing the following objectives: 1. To identify the series of forms of violence, common in families; 2. To create an image on citizens perceptions with regards to abusing behavior and their circumstances; 3. To investigate the methods used by citizens to end violence or to decrease its conditions; 4. To prove consequences of violence in family against women, family, children and society in general; 5. To identify positions of the society against abusers and abused relations; 6. To define social restrictions depriving special demographic or geographic groups in the private or public sphere; and 7. To identify legal and institutional gaps to face domestic violence.

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4.4 AGE - “Gender Profile of Kosovo” Gender Profile of Kosovo was drafted and published on the basis of existing reports and studies.

4.5 Research on implementation of the Law on Gender Equality Data on Kosovo Civil Service (KCS) in April 2008, on the gender structure in leading posts in local and central institutions, are concerning because 79.27% of managerial positions are held by men and only 20.64% by women. At high level posts, the figures are alarming since 89.34% are held by men, and only 10.66% are held by women.

Immediate need for research Having in mind that integration of gender perspective at all areas of life in Kosovo is a necessity for a sustainable and democratic development of institutions and a sound basis of comprehensive development of Kosovo, AGE has raised the immediate need for a research project to find out the level of implementation of legislation and to learn the factual situation of gender equality in Kosovo.

In this sense, with an aim of assessing and raising the level of awareness for the creation of space for equal opportunities and with an aim of advancing and respecting gender equality in Kosovo, under the auspices of Agency for Gender Equality, a research project was realized for the implementation of the Law on Gender Equality by Central and Local Self-Government Institutions. This research was conducted by an independent company: “Consulting Plus Ltd”.

Research was realized in two institutional levels: central institutions of Kosovo - 5 ministries - and local institutions - 5 municipalities of Kosovo (Prishtina, Prizren, Peja, Mitrovica and Gjilan). This research included 374 respondents. On the basis of data deriving from the research draft report it comes out that: “more than 90% of respondents, whether citizens or officers of institutions, are informed of the existence of Law on Gender Equality. However, a minor difference is noticed when

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comparing citizens with officers; the latter are better informed with the Law (98.57% of respondents in comparison to 90.13%)”. Whereas, with regards to paragraph 7.2 “Assessment of participation quota of 40% for the achievement of gender equality”, the data conclude that: “56.25% of respondents from public answered that the 40% quota is fully sufficient for the achievement of gender equality, whereas 47.14% of respondents from institutions share the same opinion”.

According to statistical data of the Department on Administration of Civil Servants (DACS) in 2007 the total number of civil servants was 73.268 out of which 47.388 or 64.67% are men, whereas 24.341 or 33.22% are women. (Remark: From these figures and percentages it comes out that 2043 or 1.68% of civil servants were undetermined).

Whereas, data of the Kosovo Civil Service (KCS) in April 2008, on the gender structure in leading positions at central and local institutions are concerning because “Men hold 79.27% of managerial positions, whereas women hold only 20.64% of managerial positions. At “high level” posts, figures are alarming because men hold 89.34% of posts, whereas women only 10.66%. Regardless of these data, respondents involved in the research “Implementation of the Law on Gender Equality by central and local institutions”, “of both categories, the public and officer respondents, more than 50% of them declared that there is good representation”.

Respondents’ assessment (from both, public and institutions) expressing a high level of satisfaction (over 50%) for the representation of women in leading positions, shows the low level of general awareness as well as shows the low level of implementation of Law on Gender Equality when it comes to equal gender representation in leading positions in Kosovo.

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5. AGENCY FOR COORDINATION OF DEVELOPMENT AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION Agency for Coordination of Development and European Integration (ACDEI) is engaged in accomplishing its objectives deriving from acts of its establishment. Among the main activities of focus by ACDEI during this period were: the drafting of European Partnership Action Plan 2008, on the basis of priorities defined by European Commission, drafting of the European Integration Plan 2008-2010, establishing new government structures in the area of European integration, continuation of dialogue coordination between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and European Commission (EC) and coordination of approximation of legislation and verification of compliance of draft laws with EU legislation.

With an aim of addressing European Partnership Priorities, after six months of efforts and inclusion of more than 500 experts, ACDEI has drafted the European Partnership Action Plan 2008. After the inclusion of comments by European Commission, Government approved the EPAP 2008, whose practical implementation will pave the way for a successful process of EU integration.

ACDEI has informed, continuously and systematically, the European Commission on advancements towards the implementation of EPAP in order to contribute to a correct drafting of EC Annual Progress Report.

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Government approved the European Integration Plan 2008 – 2010 (EIP 08-10), on 3 April 2008, by presenting the Government strategic planning and projection in the area of European integration in the referring period. EIP 08-10 contains: (1) Guideline for the drafting of EPAP; (2) Institutional Mechanisms for European Integration; (3) Concept Paper on approximation of Kosovo legislation with the Acquis; (4) Concept paper on translation of Acquis Communautaire; (5) Information and Communication Strategy for the European integration process of Kosovo; and (6) Strategy for European Training in Kosovo.

Prime Minister of Kosovo, through 8 decisions, established new structures in the area of European integration, as follows: ¾ Ministerial Council for the Coordination of the Process of European Integration; ¾ Working Committee on European Integration; ¾ Working Groups (Governance, Economy, Internal Market, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Forestry and Innovation and Social Cohesion).

These structures will strengthen and advance the European agenda through a sustainable, comprehensive and effective institutional infrastructure. All Working Groups are operational.

14th and 15th Plenary Sessions of the Stabilization Association process Tracking Mechanism (STM) were held, with the highest political representation between Government of Kosovo and European Commission.

During this reporting period, six sectorial meetings of the Stabilization Association process Tracking Mechanism took place, as forums of technical character at expert level discussing concrete issues in detail, in various areas of European integration.

As part of EC Peer Assessment Missions, five missions have visited Kosovo planned to exchange experiences with countries of the region with a longer experience in the area of

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European integration and towards the harmonization of EPAP with Kosovo budget, MTEF, Government Program and Annual Work Plan.

ACDEI held working meetings with experts of the Republic of Slovenia, the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Albania. Harmonization of these documents will result in increased efficiency of general government policies.

The process of verification of compliance of national legislation with EU legislation (Acquis communautaire) has continued and the coordination of the process of translation as a programmed and inclusive process envisaged in the Government Legislative Strategy for 2008 as well as incorporation of draft laws in the Legislative Agenda, with a Government decision, at a later stage.

45 draft laws went through the procedure of verification of compliance with EU legislation as well as incorporation of recommendations in verified draft laws has been monitored through inter-institutional coordination, as provided for by the Government Rules of Procedure (Attached annex provides the list of draft laws forwarded for verification of compliance with EU legislation (Acquis communautaire)).

Establishment of a data base has been assessed as a necessary instrument for the coordination of the process of verification of compliance of national legislation with EU legislation. This data base contains all laws and secondary legislation approved by institutions of Kosovo. Also, a data base has been established presenting EU legal acts translated into Albanian language. These two instruments are updated quarterly.

With an aim of assisting line Ministries, during the process of planning and drafting laws, ACDEI has compiled table registers including EU legal acts, the date of approval, classification on the basis of chapters of Acquis on Enlargement and as listed in the Legislative Strategy for 2008; they are linked with EU respective acts and respective chapters of the Acquis to which they are to be approximated.

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ACDEI, with due respect to the development stage, has started drafting the strategic development plan of the office for the preparation of national version of Acquis Communautaire, with the main aim of preparing a credible and quality national version of the Acquis Communautaire.

ACDEI exercised its coordinating authority during the process of IPA coordination for 2008 and 2009. In full coordination and cooperation with EU Liaison Office, ACDEI organized workshops and meetings with direct beneficiaries with an aim of discussion and provision of professional assistance towards the preparation of concept projects harmonized with strategic documents such as Government Program, EPAP and other sectorial strategic documents. This logic of coordination and support activities has been followed by ACDEI during the process of IPA 2009 programming by organizing workshops to present and discus concept projects and project fishes as part of IPA 2009.

ACDEI is involved, systematically, in coordination of assistance within TAIEX, with special emphasis to mid-term assistance. In cooperation with Ministries, possible actions from EPAP 2008 have been identified in order to be addressed by mid-term TAIEX and together with respective officers applications for mid-term assistance have been completed and approved by TAIEX.

Organization of workshops for as better and as efficient use of Twining Instrument as well as compilation of twining projects, were part of programmed and systematic activities of ACDEI.

With the purpose of efficient use of offers for technical assistance provided to Government of Kosovo, precisely Ministries by EC and other donors, ACDEI has supported the strengthening of their programming capacities by assisting in the establishment of positions and professional development of Senior Programming Officers. Having in mind that human resources capacity building, towards the building of an efficient public administration, is one of the main challenges of the Government of the

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Republic of Kosovo, the Government approved the Training Strategy on European Affairs, which will enable the European integration process of the Republic of Kosovo.

For the purpose of assisting EC financed projects, ACDEI conducts mid-year assessments of public administration training needs, a document which dictates the programming of projected training activities in annual plans and mid-year reviews. During this reporting period, 15 types of trainings were organized, with a total of 265 days of training and with the participation of 746 civil servants. The theoretical part of trainings, led by international and national experts, was followed by mentoring support modules, where experts from respective areas have demonstrated in practice, on daily basis, and in-house the theoretical part of trainings. During 406 days of these activities, 209 civil service officers were involved. For the first time, all these trainings were followed with assessment tests, which measured the effectiveness of these training activities.

For the wellbeing and increasing effectiveness at work, English language is, undoubtedly, a necessary working ability, in particular in the European integration process, and to this end, an assessment test has been conducted on the level of knowledge of English, followed by intensive training at advanced and specialized levels. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, supported financially by EC, sent 48 students for Master’s studies into prestigious universities in EU Member States such as London, Lancaster, Hamburg, Berlin and Tartu. This was the first time that programs of study were selected on the basis of sectorial development priorities of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. After the completion of studies, Government has planned their systematization within its all organizational units. This practice will continue in the coming two years as well.

The Government of the Republic of Kosovo approved the Communication and Information Strategy for the European integration process, after 40 debates, with presentation lectures, involving secondary schools, NGO’s, professional organizations,

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media association and companies as well as all levels of executive authority, central and local, throughout the territory of the Republic.

The Government of the Republic of Kosovo succeeded in these activities with the close cooperation and coordination, on basis of full partnership, with ECLO in Prishtina, ICO, local and international NGO’s as well as professional organizations, which made access to targeted groups easier.

After many consultations within the Government, and with EC officers and the donor community, and as an implementation of Donor Conference conclusions, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo made a decision to merge the Donor Coordination Centre and European Integration Agency into the Agency on Coordination of Development and European Integration.

Collection and processing of detailed data on projects with all donors as well as processing of these data into the RIMS data base, was one of the main activities towards a better reflection of the work of donors in the Republic of Kosovo. On the basis of data provided by all donors, and in close cooperation with the World Bank, the process of assessment of effectiveness of foreign aid donated during 2008 was initiated. For the purpose of effective preparation of donor conference and in order to provide a clearer picture with regards to donor’s focus on relevant sectors, a report on commitments of donations for the next three years has been drafted in cooperation with donors.

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6. REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (MPJ) In compliance with its objectives and policies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs developed its activities in the following areas: functionalizing the Ministry, the process of recognition of Kosovo, diplomatic service, international relations and agreements, legislation and protocol and consular issues.

6.1. Functionalizing the Ministry The priority task of the Ministry was to build its structures and to functionalize them. This was preceded by a special group, who dealt with the structural organization and functionalizing the Ministry. This team prepared the organizational chart of the Ministry and respective administrative instruction.

Organizational chart determined eighty persons to work for Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Up to date, the political staff has been appointed and forty five civil servants recruited. Civil servants were elected through open competition. The core offices of the Ministry are already functional and accomplish their legal obligations.1

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs is facing objective difficulties in its daily operation due to the small office space available, inappropriate for work.

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In its operational plan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, since the establishment, has put the emphasis into the development of three main segments which enable the accomplishment of responsibilities and general objectives of the Ministry. To this end, attention was paid to the development of Administration Directorate, Directorate on Budget and Finance and Directorate on Procurement.

Directorate on Budget and Finances, in cooperation with other directorates and offices, prepared its strategic statement and budget for 2009, for the Ministry and its diplomatic missions abroad.

6.2. Activities for the Acceleration of the Recognition Process Apart from building and functionalizing the structure of the Ministry, one of the priority issues of the Ministry, during this period, was accelerating the process of international recognition of the state of Kosovo. Up to date, the Republic of Kosovo has been recognized by fifty four states of the world.

Ministry was engaged in direct and indirect contacts and bilateral meetings with representatives of various countries throughout the world. Until know, a large number of bilateral meetings were held with heads of diplomatic missions of states and international organizations, ministers, prime ministers and heads of states. Among the most important meetings are: the historical meeting with the President of USA, George W. Bush, and the US Secretary of State, Rice, Prime Minister of United Kingdom Gordon Brown and Foreign Secretary of State Miliband, other meetings in Brussels etc.

Work in this area followed a defined plan and strategies of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This was preceded by analyses and consultations with regards to positions of each state towards the independence of Kosovo, with special emphasis to states with regional or global impact.

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In order to accomplish this priority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cooperated closely with its international partners and friends.

Also, Minister of Foreign Affairs participated, and represented the Republic of Kosovo, at important international activities, including sessions of the UN Security Council held on 25 July and 26 November 2008.

The lobbying activity of the Foreign Minister was associated by media campaigns at important international media through various interviews.

6.3. Diplomatic service, international relations and agreements Up to date, the first ten embassies of the Republic of Kosovo in: Washington, New York, Brussels, Vienna, London, Paris, Roma, Berlin, Bern, Ankara and Tirana. Chargé d’affaires have been appointed as well as embassy secretaries.

These embassies have established contacts with governments and missions in host countries.

Ministry, together with Charges de Affairs and Secretaries, is working intensively to functionalize further these embassies. On the other hand, as part of the process of building relations with accredited diplomatic missions in Kosovo, the Ministry held continuous relations with representatives of these missions. These meetings varied on subjects and dealt with building and deepening mutual political relations up to meetings related to the provision assistance for the specific needs of the Ministry.

With an aim of advancing international relations and promotion of joint interests with other states, efforts were made for the integration of Kosovo in international institutions

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and organizations by preserving close links with international organizations present in Kosovo.

Efforts to make Kosovo part of regional initiatives have continued and are still ongoing.

With regards to the European integration process, the Republic of Kosovo, at present, has the status of potential candidate country. At its direct meetings with European Union Member States as well as its institutions, the Ministry lobbied to advance the status of the Republic of Kosovo in the process of European integration. During this period, the Ministry advocated, through direct meetings or various correspondences, for the possibility of giving a more active role to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the European integration process.

Deepening of cooperation with NATO and full membership of the Republic of Kosovo in this organization is a priority of the foreign policy of Kosovo and part of its permanent efforts.

Government of Kosovo has already applied at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, a process in which the Foreign Ministry played an important role. Representatives of the Foreign Ministry, with the decision of Prime Minister, have been appointed Chairmen, members of the sub-group for the preparation of legal instruments for members and economic sub-group, respectively.

As part of its activities with regards to economic policies and with an aim of international promotion of economic interests of Kosovo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs finalized the Informator for Kosovo. Research have been conducted, information gathered, and Kosovo’s profile in the sectors of agriculture, education, trade exchange, infrastructure, energy, legal infrastructure, structure of goods, geographical situation and labour marked has been complemented.

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Focusing on ordinary reflections of international trade exchanges of Kosovo, representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs held few meetings with internal government structures such as: MEF – Department of Macroeconomics, MPS – Statistical Office of Kosovo, MTI – Department of Trade, Department of Tourism, ABR, KCHC as well as Agency for Economic Development resident in Shtima.

Special importance was paid to conclusion of bilateral agreements as part of diplomatic efforts, promotion and protection of investments, visa-free policy for holders of diplomatic and official passports etc.

Having in mind that one of the objectives of the Ministry was identification of agreements and memoranda related to Kosovo, respectively PISG and UNMIK with other states, satisfactory results have been achieved towards the establishment of the archive with regards to signed agreements with states of the region.

Another important step towards international relations was the obtaining of the list and texts of bilateral agreements between the former SFRY and respective countries. Diplomatic missions accredited in Prishtina have contributed to this end by brining copies of full agreements signed by their governments with SRFY. We may mention here agreements signed by Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Great Britain, Sweden and Belgium.

With regards to the participation on talks to review international draft agreements, representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated at: the meeting with representatives of TIKA (Turkish Inter-Government Organization) to review the draft agreement on technical and financial assistance; meeting with representatives of the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Trade and Industry with regards to the draft agreement with OPIC, US inter-governmental organization; review the draft agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and IMG (Norwegian Inter-Governmental Organization) for financial assistance; the first round of talks for the draft agreement on admission and transit of persons

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(Readmission Agreement) between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also provided respective recommendations on: draft memorandum of cooperation between CESWI and Ministry of Health, draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Albania and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development of the Republic of Kosovo.

6.4 Legislation Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sponsored and finalized the work on the drafting of two fundamental laws for the realization of duties and responsibilities of the Ministry: Draft Law on Foreign Service and Draft Law on Consular Service. Draft laws were reviewed by inter-governmental group, and a special contribution was given by representatives of accredited diplomatic missions in the Republic of Kosovo.

The Foreign Ministry has worked intensively to complete the secondary legislation framework: finalizing and signing, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, of the Administrative Instruction on Vehicle Registration Plates for Diplomatic Corpus, active participation in the drafting of Administrative Instruction No. 9/2008 on Procedures of Payments for Embassies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, active participation in the drafting of Administrative Instruction on the Form and Procedures of Obtaining Diplomatic and Official Passports, sponsored by Ministry of Internal Affairs, preparation of draft Decision on Obtaining Diplomatic and Official Passports, preparation of draft-Decision on Allocation of Funds for the Purchase of Diplomatic Missions’ Buildings/Premises, preparation of draft-Decision for Diplomatic ID Cards for Members of Foreign Missions, Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Kosovo, preparation of draft-Decision on Setting the Tariff for Diplomatic and Official Passports, preparation of draft-Decision for the Allocation of the Sum of Depositing Funds into the Bank Accounts of Diplomatic Missions.

6.5 Consular and protocol issues

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One of responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the provision of consular services through the Office on Consular Affairs acting within the Ministry. Even though during this period, the legal basis for the way of realization of responsibilities in this area is not entirely approved, this service managed to realize its objectives envisaged by work plan.

The Foreign Ministry, led by the Minister and the political staff, since its establishment were actively and continuously engaged in lobbying and diplomatic activities in order to obtain as much recognitions as possible for our new state, the Republic of Kosovo. To this end, the Minister had many visits and important meetings in various countries of the world. Vienna/Panama: 8-15 May 2008 -

Ambassador of Peru, Mr. Carlos A. Higueras

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Ambassador of Panama, Mrs. Isabel Damian Karekides,

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Costa Rica, Ambassador Carol Viviana Arce Echeverria

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Charges D’ Affairs of Ecuador, Mrs. Gloria Ploastri Amat

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Ambassador of Paraguay, Mrs. Nilda Acosta Garcete

Panama: 12-14 May 2008 -

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, at the same time Deputy President of the

State, Mr. Samuel Lewis Navarro -

Consul of Belize, Luis Anonio Vasquez Jaramillo

-

Charges D’ Affairs of Embassy of Guatemala, Mariella Velez de Garcia.

-

Ambassador of Nicaragua, Antenor Ferrey Bernudi

-

Ambassador of Costa Rika, Ekhart Peters.

Bulgaria: 20 May 2008 -

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mrs. Dora Bakojannis

-

Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr. Milo Gjukanovic and Deputy minister of Foreign

Affairs, Mr. Milorad Shqepanovic

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-

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mr. Ali Babacan

-

Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Mr. Sergei Stanishev and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr.

Ivailo Kalfin

Vienna: 25-27 May 2008 -

Ambassador of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mr. Makram Queisi

-

Ambassador of State of Kuwait, Mr. Fawzi A. Al-Jasem

-

Ambassador of United Arab Emirates, Mr. Ahmed Al Dosari

-

Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar at UN organizations in Vienna, Mr.

Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri -

Ambassador of Sultan of Oman, Dr. Bar M. Al-Hinai

-

Charge D’ Affairs of the Embassy of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Abdulrahman

AlSuhaibani

Brussels: 08-10 June 2008 -

Charge D’ Affaires of Malawi, Mr. Joseph Chiteyeye

-

Ambassador of African Union, Mr. Mahamat Saleh Annadif

-

Chargé D’ Affaires of Mauritania, Mr. Sidi Laghdaf

-

Ambassador of Ethiopia, Mr. Berhane Gebre-Christos

-

Ambassador of Tunisia, Mr. Abdessalem Hetira

Montenegro – Kolashin: June 2008 Meeting with Foreign Minister of Montenegro, Mr. Milan Rocen

New York: 20-25 June 2008 -

Ambassador of Malaysia, Mr. Datuk Hamidon Ali

-

Ambassador of Nigeria, Mr. Aboubacar Ibrahim Abani

-

Charge D’ Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Abdullatef H. Sallam

-

Ambassador of Georgia, Mr. Irakli Alasania

-

Ambassador of New Zeeland, Mrs. Rosemary Banks

-

Ambassador of Panama, Mr. Ricardo Alberto Arias

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-

Ambassador of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mr. Mohammed Al-Allaf

-

Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr. Munir Akram

-

Ambassador of Zambia, Mrs. Irene Tembo.

-

Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, Mrs. Enriquillo A. del Rosario Ceballos

Brussels: 10 – 11 July 2008 Two respective governments, Belgium and Kosovo, had the first bilateral meeting in Brussels. The meeting was held at “Egmont Palace”, between respective Foreign Ministers of both countries.

Washington/New York: 22-27 July 2008

Washington: 24 July 2008 -

The Minister met with the President of USA, Mr. George W. Bush, Secretary of State,

Mrs. Condoleezza Rice and Minister of Defense, Mr. Robert Gates. New York: 25 – 27 July 2008 Meeting with the following personalities were held: -

Ambassador of Permanent Mission of Ghana, at United Nations, Leslie Kojo

Christian -

Ambassador of the State of Qatar at United Nations, Nassir A.A.Al-Naser

-

Ambassador of El Salvador, at United Nations, Carmen Maria Gallardo Hernandez

-

Ambassador of Barbados at United Nations, Christofer Hackett

-

Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda, John William Ashe

-

Ambassador of Egypt at United Nations, Maged A. Abdelaziz

-

Ambassador of Columbia at United Nations, Claudia Blum de Barberi

-

Ambassador of Portugal at United Nations, Joẫo Manuel Guerra Salgueiro.

-

Ambassador of New Zeeland at United Nations, Rosemary Banks

-

Ambassador of France at United Nations, Jean-Marc de La Sabliere

-

Ambassador of United Kingdom, John Sawyers

-

Ambassador of USA at United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad

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-

Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Lamberto Zannier

Slovenia: 07-08 July 2008

-

One day visit to Slovenia with the invitation of his counterpart, Minister of Foreign

Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Dimitrij Rupel.

Czech Republic: 21-23 August 2008 -

Visit to the Czech Republic: 21-23 August 2008 with the invitation of the Foreign

Minister of the Czech Republic.

Albania: 2 – 3 September 2008 -

Visit to the Republic of Albania: 2-3 September 2008 with the invitation of the

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Lulzim Basha.

-

Prime Minister Mr. Sali Berisha,

-

Speaker of the Parliament Mrs. Jozefina Topalli,

-

President of the Republic Mr. Bamir Topi,

-

President of Socialist Part, Mr. Edi Rama.

New York: 19.09.2008-04.10.2008 The Minister had meetings with the following: -

Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania at UN, Mr. Augustine P. Mahiga,

-

Permanent Representative of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at United Nations,

Abdullatef H. Sallam. -

Ambassador of United Arab Emirates to the United Nations in New York, Ahmed

Abdulrahim Al-Jarman. -

Ambassador of Libya to UN, Giadalla Ettalhi.

-

Ambassador Frank Wisner (work dinner)

-

Foreign Minister of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Salaheddin Al-Bashir.

-

Foreign Minister of Lichtenstein, Rita Kieber-Beck,

-

Foreign Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Rais Yatim.

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-

Foreign Minister of Egypt, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

-

Assistant to Secretary of State, Daniel Fried.

-

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Guinea, Amadou Lamarana Bah.

-

Foreign Minister of South Africa, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

-

Foreign Minister of Columbia, Jaime Bermudez.

-

Deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait, at the same time Foreign Minister, Sheikh

Muhammad al-Sabah al-Salem al- Sabah. -

Foreign Minister of Slovakia, Mr. Jan Kubish.

-

President of Albania Mr. Bamir Topi and Foreign Minister Basha.

-

Former President of Finland Marti Ahtisaari and Mr. Pieter Feith.

-

President of Turkey Abdullah Gyl and the Foreign Minister, Ali Babacan.

-

President of Macedonia, Mr. Branko Cervenkovski.

-

General Secretary of NATO, Jap De Hop Skefer.

-

President of Montenegro Vujanovic, and the Foreign Minister of this country, Rocen.

-

Foreign Minister of Cameron, Henry Eyebe Ayissi.

-

Ambassador of United States of America in UN, Zalmay Khalilzad.

-

General Secretary of the Islamic Conference Organization, Mr. Ekmeleddin

Ihsanoglu. -

Croatian Prime Minister Sanader.

-

French Foreign Minister Kushner

-

President of Panama, Martin Torrijos and the Foreign Minister Samuel Luis Navaro

-

US Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice.

Saudi Arabia: 13-15 September 2008 In Geda of Saudi Arabia, the Foreign Minister of Kosovo met with the General Secretary of the Organization of Islamic Conference, Mr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

New York: 8-14 November 2008 -

Bishop Celestino Migllore, nunc apostolik, permanent representative of Vatican in

United Nations -

Ambassador of Mozambique to United Nations, Mr. Filipe Chidumo.

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-

Charge D’ Affairs of Micronesia to United Nations, Mr. Jeem Lippwe.

-

Ambassador of East Timor to UN, Mr. Nelson Santos

-

Foreign Minister of Oman, Mr. Yusuf bin Alaëi din Abdullah,

-

Secretary of the Islamic Conference Organization, Mr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and

the Permanent Representative of this organization in UN, Mr. Abdul Wahab. -

Permanent representative of the Union of Caribbean State, Mr. Noel Sinclair

Minister also had important meetings with: -

Minister of Foreign Affairs of United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al

Ahyan -

Ambassador of United States of America at UN, Mr. Zalmay Khalizad

-

Ambassador of United States of America, Mrs. Rosemary Di Carlo

-

Ambassador of United Kingdom, Mrs. Karen Pierce

-

Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Minister of Foreign

Affairs Mr. Ali Babacan -

Ambassador of Croatia at UN, Mr. Neven Jurica

-

Ambassador of Australia at UN, Mr. Robert Hill

-

Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Mohammad Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah

Visit of the Minister to London: 19 November 2008

During his visit in London, together with President Sejdiu and Prime Minister Thaçi, the Minister met with: Foreign Secretary Mr. David Miliband and Prime Minister of Great Britain, Mr. Gordon Brown.

Visit of Minister to Brussels: 20-22 November 2008

Minister was invited for a meeting by the International Steering Group.

Visit of Minister to New York: 24 – 28 November 2008

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During his stay in New York, the Minister participated in the meeting of UN Security Council.

Other activities Among many activities, Minister held lectures and gave interviews for prestigious universities and media. He held lectures at the Columbia University in New York and American University in Kosovo (AUK). Minister was interviewed by: ICAST NEWS, BBC (English language), Bloomberg TV, Al Jazeera; press conferences held at UN residence and many other interviews in international media.

With the approval of administrative instruction on diplomatic and official passports, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thanks to a good coordination with structures of Ministry of Internal Affairs, managed to issue 160 diplomatic passports and few official passports for senior functionaries of the Republic of Kosovo.

Since its establishment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs was responsible to issue Diplomatic Notes to facilitate obtaining official visas for all functionaries of the state institutions of the Republic of Kosovo. These diplomatic notes were issued in compliance with timelines and according to rules previously defined with respective embassies.

Coordination with embassies and liaison offices with regards to consular services consisted in the provision of a number of consular services for citizens of Kosovo. Requests for consular services came from diplomatic missions accredited in Prishtina, diplomatic missions of Kosovo, citizens of Kosovo living abroad and some citizens of Kosovo living in Kosovo but with administrative implications with other states.

To date, thanks to the cooperation with Ministry of Internal Affairs, Department on Registration and Civil Status and Ministry of Justice (Legal Department) we managed to reply to a large number of correspondences received mainly from the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Prishtina, with an aim of informing on cases of convictions by Croatian courts, provision of documents from civil status etc.

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Thanks to the cooperation with respective embassies and the Kosovo Border Police, we managed to provide assistance for the repatriation of corpses of Kosovo citizens that died in territories of other states. Even though respective regulations for consular services have not been approved yet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to all requests addressed by citizens of Kosovo for the provision of consular services as well as legalization of documents and advice with regards to obtaining travel documents of the Republic of Kosovo.

The Protocol of Ministry of Foreign Affairs drafted programs and visits of many senior international functionaries to the Republic of Kosovo since June this year, including the realization of meetings with senior local and international officers, coordination with Kosovo Police Service, respectively Department of Public Order and Close Protection Unit with regards to escort and security of VIP’s, provision of appropriate transport for delegations, privileged access in Airport as well as assistance in their accommodation.

Also, with regards to immunities and privileges, the Foreign Ministry was engaged in implementation of laws and requirements. During this period, the staff of nineteen embassies and liaison offices accredited in Prishtina, who enjoy the status, privileges and diplomatic immunities, provided for by Article 3 of the Law No. 03/L-033 were provided with diplomatic cards.

Diplomatic correspondences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with 192 member states of UN were concluded successfully with regards to the recognition of passports of the Republic of Kosovo. A special role was paid to diplomatic correspondence with Foreign Ministries and Embassies with regards to the agreement requested for the Ambassador of Ireland in Budapest; Ambassador of Belgium in Sofia; Ambassador of Latvia in Ljubljana; Ambassador of Estonia in Brussels; Ambassador of Croatia in Prishtina and Ambassador of Hungary in Prishtina.

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7. FINANCE AND ECONOMY

During this reporting period, Ministry of Finance and Economy was engaged in the implementation of tasks deriving from the Work Plan 2008 as well as on realization of responsibilities and duties defined by normative acts.

Ministry’s activities consisted in preparation of strategic documents such as the MidTerm Expenditure Framework as well as preparation of budget for fiscal year 2008, presentation for the Donor Conference, execution of the revenue plan and careful monitoring of budgetary expenditures, transfer of new responsibilities which, until the approval of the Constitution, mid June, were competence of UNMIK.

This includes the transfer of property and management rights over publicly-owned enterprises, transfer of competencies in the area of Customs and Tax Administration as well as the sector of banking and finances, representation in various sessions and increase in cooperation with international institutions, signature of cooperation agreements with various countries, increasing functionality and effectiveness of the work of the Ministry, advancing the legal framework, executive capacity building as well as implementation of various projects in cooperation with donors.

As part of activities of the Cabinet of the Minister, one should emphasize representation of Kosovo at the annual session of the International Monetary Fund, visits to institutions

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of the World Bank and European Bank on Reconstruction and Development. The objective of representation was further approximation of our aims of full membership into these mechanisms. For this purpose, Kosovo applied for membership into the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on 11 July 2008. Representatives of these missions visited Kosovo, through their missions, in order to prepare and advice Kosovo for the membership process. It is expected that Kosovo will become a member of these institutions, with full rights, in the first part of next year.

Enhancing bilateral cooperation with various countries was one of the objectives of the Ministry in 2008. To this end, memoranda of understanding in the sector of economy have been signed with government of Germany, government of Netherlands for projects in the private sector and government of Sweden for property tax projects.

In order to increase efficiency in the work of the Ministry, a new organizational structure has been prepared and the delegation of responsibilities has been conducted on the basis of regulations in force. With an aim of further reformation, the functional review of the Ministry has commenced by external experts engaged by the Government, and soon they will be issuing recommendations on the issue. In the area of public finances management, implementation of PEMTAG projects continued as well as assistance on the system of Public Investment Program (PIP). Also, the project of internal capacity building in the area of internal audit has been completed, which was supported by European Commission and implemented by the company Human Dynamics. One of the primary activities of the Ministry during the reporting period was budget preparation by modifying the draft budget for 2008, on the basis of priorities presented by spending agencies and approved by the new Government of the Republic of Kosovo. On this basis, UNMIK Regulation 2008/13 was amended and Law No. 03/L-088 on the approval of Kosovo Consolidated Budget was prepared as well as Authorization of Expenditure for the period from 1 January until 31 December 2009 that was approved by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo.

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Mid-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2009-2011 has been prepared. The drafting of MTEF was one of the main activities of MEF. This document addressed priorities of the Government in the mid-term period. During the preparation of this document, a number of inter-ministerial meetings were held and relevant international institutions consulted with an aim of finalizing this document. MTEF document was approved by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo on 12 June 2008.

MTEF represents the fundamental document on the basis of which the Donor Conference was organized and held on 11 July 2008, in Brussels. This conference was assessed as a well-organized one, where Kosovo gained a huge financial support in amount of 1.2 billion Euro for the mid-term period 2008-2011. To this end, meetings with all spending agencies at central level were held and special emphasis, apart from budgetary processes, was paid to the approach and importance of drafting the Mid-Term Budgetary Framework for 2009-2011. MEF has continuously provided the necessary instructions to budgetary organizations for the objectives of MTEF sectorial working groups with concrete examples such as: necessary explanations for the preparation of strategies, aims, objectives and sectorial activities.

As part of preparation of budgetary cycle for 2009-2011, in compliance with the Law on Management of Public Finances and Responsibilities, three budgetary circulars were issued for central and local level, which served for the successful finalization of the budgetary process for the period 2009-2011. Preparation of the draft budget for 20092011 is based on the Government program for 2008-2011 and includes priorities defined in this program and MTEF for period 2009-2011.

Instruction for the review of mid-year budgetary review was prepared and issued. This instruction served for spending agencies to present savings and needs for additional funds. The six-month review for 2008 was approved by the Government and Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, and was decreed by the President of the Republic of Kosovo on 7 August 2008.

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Also, there was active participation at all meetings with relevant international organizations and its worth emphasizing the continuous contacts with International Monetary Fund, World Bank, European Commission and other donors.

Meetings with IMF missions were of special importance for the fact that Kosovo has already applied for membership in this institution.

Budgetary impact assessments have been prepared for 50 draft laws (draft laws, administrative instructions, regulations, etc.) and 40 commitments made for financial assessment for laws provided for by Ahtisaari’s Settlement Document, which by the end of the year will be completed with final financial assessments.

For the purpose of wellbeing of the budgetary process, manuals for Budget 2009 and Public Investments Program (Instructions for users of spending agencies procedures) have been prepared.

With an aim of building capacities for the improvement of management and expenditure of public funds, there are two projects ongoing: Public Expenditure Management Technical Assistance Project (PEMTAG), financed by the World Bank and Public Investment Program (PIP) financed by EAR, which provide a special contribution to the wellbeing of the budgetary process.

As part of the activities of municipal budgets, preparation of the Law on Local Government Funding was of special importance. This law, drafted by MEF and MALG, with the assistance of IMF and other donors, was approved by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo in June, within the set of laws provided for by the Ahtisaari’s Settlement Document.

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8 regional forums were held this year, with the presence of a significant number of municipal officers and two meetings of the grant committee to define the final thresholds for budgets of municipalities in 2009. In order to improve budget comprehensiveness and transparency, budget formulation, present expenditure transactions and reporting, two categories have been established: economic and functional classification. General government policies towards budgetary thresholds were reflected in municipalities as well. This was done to support the general efforts of the government of Kosovo for the focus of budgetary policies from the periodical budget to capital investments and long-term investment initiatives supporting Kosovo’s development priorities.

Commencement of operation of municipal pilot units was monitored and supported by the Ministry through the appointment of administrators. Also, these municipalities were supported for the accomplishment of criteria for their certification for the issuance of tax invoices in 2008.

The process of municipal budget development for 2009 was concluded on 7 October 2008, when all municipalities submitted to MEF their budgetary requests, approved by respective municipal assemblies, on the basis of preliminary grants and information on expenditure as defined in June on the basis of Budgetary Circular 2009/01 (with the exception of Prishtina).

Macro-fiscal projections have been prepared, representing the basis for Mid-Term Expenditure Framework of Kosovo for 2009-2011 (MTEF). These projections were part of intensive discussions with IMF, European Commission etc. Also, the matrix of Government policies was prepared and incorporated into the final version of MTEF. In this sense, comments received by relevant international agencies regarding MTEF were included. As part of regular activities of MEF, the mid-year macroeconomic bulletin for the period July – December 2007 was finalized as well as the bulletin for the first half of 2008. This document contains data on the main economic trends in four main sectors of economy.

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Another document was also compiled containing a detailed description of the macroeconomic model, which serves for Kosovo’s macro-fiscal projections.

The process of developing the macroeconomic model of Kosovo was enlarged with the methodology on projection and dynamics of the labor market as well as data on Time Series were completed. These data will be part of publications to be presented by MEF in the web-page.

One of the most important activities of MEF, during this period, deals with the intensive work on analyzing the tax system of Kosovo in order to review it. Analysis was completed and the final draft for amendments drafted.

Analysis of tax system resulted with the finalization of the version of draft amendments to the tax system of Kosovo. These approved norms will be effective as of January 2009. Otherwise, this activity reflects the promise kept by Government of Kosovo to create a convenient tax environment in Kosovo for businesses and individuals.

Analysis on the level of inflation, on the basis of food basket, was conducted which serves for the purposes of indexing the basic pension. The document with relevant analysis was prepared and presented with regards to the development of Kosovo’s labor market.

Collection of budgetary revenues is one of the main activities of MEF. Good cooperation between TAK and taxpayers resulted in an increase in the number of requests for reimbursement and until the end of November approximately 17.5 million Euro were reimbursed. At the same time, realization of revenues in the period January – November reached 194.5 million Euro, which represents 95% of the annual plan for 2008.

This year is a successes story towards the collection of revenues which means that this year’s income in comparison to the last year, for same period of the year, have marked an increase of over 16%.

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Better communication with taxpayers, with advice and suggestions, resulted in an increase of self-declaration by taxpayers in the amount of 87.59% in the period January – October 2008.

As part of routine inspections to taxpayers, during this reporting period, 1909 inspections and 32 assessments were conducted, and these inspections resulted in an increase of 49.5 million Euro of additional taxes.

51,569 visits were conducted during working hours and 3214 fines imposed, whereas 12,119 visits were conducted after working hours and 357 fines imposed. Also, activities of compulsory collection (embargo on imports and exports, tax burdens, seizures of assets of taxpayers, property sales etc.) have been intensified.

Another specific area of activity was the assessment and making decisions on complaints received. In this context, it’s worth emphasizing that we received 331 complains from taxpayers. After the review, 252 or 76.5% were resolved in favor of TAK.

Another sphere of engagement by TAK, during this year, was the supervision and control of the activity of entities dealing with games of luck. During this period, a significant number of these entities have been licensed, which have completed their obligations provided for by the law.

Government decision on suspension of fines on taxpayers who are willing to conclude an agreement to pay the debt, raised the interest of 3.181 businesses, out of which 151 paid their obligations completely and another 708 businesses concluded agreements. The amount remaining as a result of this initiative is 2.9 million Euro. Increase in revenues is also a result of efforts by government institutions to combat the negative occurrences related to tendencies for fiscal evasion.

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Special attention was paid to the part related to revenues by Customs of Kosovo. Present results show a very successful performance in this field. Revenues collected from the border are 532.3 million Euro, which in comparison to the annual plan for 2008 is 91% of revenues projected in mid year. It is worth emphasizing that, on the basis of previous years’ practices, border revenues will exceed projections made in mid-year.

During this period, revenues from customs were stabile, with an increasing trend in comparison to last year. During this year, there were difficulties in collecting revenues in the northern part of Kosovo, since customs points in that part did not function properly and customs officers were unable to perform their duties. Their absence led to an increase in smuggling and a decrease in revenues.

With an aim of overcoming this situation, mobile units have been established, in cooperation with KFOR and BP that conducted patrols during 24 hours and managed to decrease losses in a sensible manner. During this period, a total of 745 customs offences have been revealed.

Customs efficiency may also be noticed in the following cases: 83 cases have been initiated with suspicious elements of customs criminal offences; various levels of prosecutions have been referred 47 criminal convictions with an amount of evasion at 1.6 million Euro; with investigators decisions, goods in amount of 59,000 Euro have been seized and four vehicles.

As far as audit is concerned 12 cases of debt revenue amounting at 323,935.00 € have been referred; 36 cases are under investigations with suspicions of possible evasions exceeding 2 million Euro; in the area of approximation of legislation with European Union recommendations, we managed to issue all administrative instructions, during this period, in harmony with the Acquis Communautaire.

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Customs received the new document “EU Blueprint” provided by the European Commission and has already commenced activities towards the accomplishment of obligations deriving from these documents.

In order to complete the legislative agenda and the drafting of instructions, in compliance with superior legislation, the following legal acts have been drafted: Explanatory act on provisions of Articles 34 and 35 of the Law on Waste, No. 02/L-30 and MMPH Decision No. 24/08-08; amendment of AI on Business Registration and Customs Agencies on Registration of Customs Service Importers, drafting the Decision on Provisional Suspension of the Activity of Customs Agency, drafting the List of Regulations on Customs Issues Raised in the period 1999-200, drafting the explanatory act on the approved Law on Integrated Management of State Borders, drafting the explanatory act on Decision No. 505 of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, respectively Ministry of Internal Affairs on Prohibition of Import of all Kinds of Pyrotechnical Substances, drafting the explanatory act on Decision of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo No. 08/35 amending Decision No. 06/260 on Certification of new Customs Officers from the Serb community who were systemized on various custom branches.

In order to increase the level of transparency and obligations of each employee, disciplinary procedures have been initiated against 37 customs officers. Decision of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo on tax policies’ reforms raised the need to amend these laws: Value-Added Tax Law, Law on Corporate Income Tax, Law on Individual Income Tax and Law on Excise Level in Kosovo. Fiscal reform package of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is expected to commence implementing from 1 January 2009.

With the approval of the Law on Publicly-Owned Enterprises, MEF assumed responsibilities on monitoring and supervision of publicly-owned enterprises activities. To this end, a Unit has been established within MEF and during this stage; we worked closely with POE’s in finding forms of cooperation in order to implement the law.

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Policies on ownership of central publicly-owned enterprises have been approved as well as the ownership structure of local publicly-owned enterprises. Also, the process of appointments in Central POE’s Boards of Directors has been advanced.

For the purpose of further restructuring of publicly-owned enterprises, Government initiated the process of investigation of opportunities to involve the private sector into these enterprises. To this end, an expression of interest has been advertised to advice the transaction of International Airport of Prishtina J. S. C., Post e Telecommunication of Prishtina, J. S. C. and Energetic Corporation of Kosovo J. S. C. The primary duty of consulting companies in these projects will be to provide alternatives for the inclusion of private capital in publicly-owned enterprises.

As part of legal reporting obligations deriving from the Law on Management of Public Finances and Responsibilities (LMPPR), on 31 March 2008, the Treasury prepared the final budget report for 2008. This report was submitted, on time, to relevant structures provided for by law.

During this period, an agreement was signed among the Treasury, Tax Administration of Kosovo and Central Bank with regards to the application of standard module of group/massive payments during the collection of revenues.

Another initiative undertaken is the restructuring and re-designation of bank accounts for the collection of public revenues. Administrative instruction for the unification of collection of public revenues was followed by a number of meetings held with the Central Bank of Kosovo, commercial banks and spending agencies in order to eliminate all uncertainties identified with regards to the implementation of UNIREF number.

Threefold saving of financial data in Treasury was applied on daily basis as well as the management of all software equipment, management and usage of ICS. Elevation of the SIMFK (Freebalance) testing from 4.7 E to 6.2 and migration of data was conducted.

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Public funds were invested on the basis of the maturity plan approved in coordination with the Central Bank in amount of 400 million Euro with an average rate of 3.5 % and 7 million Euro of interest have been realized. These were short-term investments into banks of European Union.

During this period, the accounting structure was reviewed as well as the preparation of codes for municipality programs (adoption with the new programming structure of municipalities). Assistance was provided to SIMFK users in order to give them access to the system and to use it in compliance with Treasury procedures.

In comparison with the same period last year, after the entry into force of Administrative Instruction No. 03/2008 on the Use of Vehicles of Government of Kosovo, fuel expenditure decreased for 93.7 %. In the meantime, after the entry into force of Administrative Instruction No. 4/2008 on the use of telephones (landline and mobile) within Government of Kosovo, the monthly expenditure of mobile top-up phones decreased for 44.65 %, roaming mobile telephones for 151.62 % and landlines decreased for 3.7 %.

As anticipated by the legislative strategy, 20 draft laws and 12 administrative instructions have been drafted by MEF, and contribution was provided to the drafting of 50 draft laws and other secondary legislation sponsored by other ministries. 30 draft decisions have been compiled for Government of Kosovo and 30 plenipotentiary decisions were sent to Treasury for execution.

During 2008, MEF continuously assisted municipalities towards the collection of revenues from the property tax and the gradual establishment of a financial autonomy for all municipalities of Kosovo as provided for by the Mid-Term Expenditure Framework. Accomplished objectives made an impact in the increase of property tax revenues at all municipalities of Kosovo. Municipality property tax revenues, during this period, amount at 10.1 million Euro or 93% higher than the same period in 2007,

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whereas in comparison to the billed amount, it reached around 65% of the total sum billed for this year. With an aim of facilitating the process of distribution of property tax bills, we reached an agreement with PTK for the distribution of 380.000 property tax invoices in March 2008.

•

Work was conducted towards the accomplishment of few objectives such as non-

voluntary collection of property tax in all municipalities, municipal services such as annual registration of vehicles, which was conditioned with the paid tax. Introducing the project on a better property tax administration in 30 municipalities of Kosovo was realized with the support of donors such as SIDA and USAID (2.7 million Euro the total value of the project). The replacement of the present property tax software commenced (ongoing) and the introduction of the new software (basic functions).

•

During this period, a large number of spending agencies have been audited,

including ministries, municipalities, KPC etc. Apart from regular audits, few other audits were conducted with the request of budgetary organizations.

•

Speaking of internal audit, the Central Harmonizing Unit has been established,

which during 2008, started operating with full capacity. The role and importance of this Unit will contribute to the drafting of policies to increase internal financial control. During this period, regular trainings were organized in cooperation with Human Dynamics, managed by EAR, with an aim of increasing internal audit capacities in Kosovo.

In the area of European Integration, it was reported, on regular basis, on the achievements in the implementation of the European Partnership Action Plan (EPAP) 2007 in the sectors of economy, customs and taxes.

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As a result of the publication of progress report by European Commission for 2007 – 2008, EPAP was reviewed for necessary actions in order to address the challenges presented in the report.

Public and Private Partnerships (PPP’s) represent a new trend in Kosovo. For this purpose, the Unit on Public and Private Partnership has been established within MEF, with an obligation of preparing the basis for the introduction of this form of financing for certain important projects. Analyses of certain projects are ongoing which will be of interest for Kosovo as well as for potential investors.

Objectives anticipated in the development strategy of the Kosovo Board for Financial Reporting and Standards established continuous professional development standards adopted by professional bodies. A total of nine administrative instructions have been issued on the adoption of international financial reporting standards in Kosovo. Also, the draft law on financial reporting of enterprises has been drafted and forwarded to MEF and the Legal Office for further procedures.

Independent Claims Review Board, during this period, made a total of 38 judgments out of which 32 confirmed the decisions of the Tax Administration Claims Department. Whereas 5 claims were resolved in favor of taxpayers, by annulling the decision of Tax Administration Claims Department and returning them for the reiteration procedure; one taxpayer’s claim was partially approved.

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8. EDUCATION

The Government of the Republic of Kosovo has classified education as one of the crucial priorities in order for the education system to serve to a society based on knowledge, economic perspective and employment. Increase in governance quality, through leadership and quality and efficient management of the education system provides the opportunity for the comprehensiveness of new generation in primary and secondary education by creating a convenient and sound physical environment for teaching and learning. Building coherent links between education and social and economic development will actualize the importance of qualifications in the area of professional education and higher education for the needs of economy and labor market.

Reformation of all educational and vocational levels has continued. Concrete measures have been implemented as provided for by Higher Education and Pre-University Strategy as well as priorities deriving from MASHT programming points. Policies have been drafted and mechanisms for the improvement of supervision and quality of preuniversity and university education established. The process of licensing of teachers commenced and their financial state has been improved by replacing the present linear payment system with the system of positive differentiation in salary (in compliance with licensing criteria).

Mechanisms to ensure the effective management of resources and funds have been established in order to establish a full and functional infrastructure for higher education, build capacities for scientific-research tasks, promote the need for vocational training and life-long teaching.

The following centers have been established and functionalized: Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education, Science and Technology (CICHEST) and Centre for Innovation, Transfer and Technology (CITT).

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Massive funds were invested in construction, enlargement and renovation of schooling premises as one of the key problems in improving quality in education.

Free textbooks were distributed to primary schools for grades 1 to 5.

New textbooks have been compiled and published. The installation of computer rooms in schools has commenced. Legal infrastructure has been approximated with necessary legislation.

The process of licensing and accreditation of providers of private higher education has been concluded successfully. Quality has been improved significantly as well as the importance of graduation exam. Curricula and framework curricula have been reviewed. The content and infrastructure offer for minorities and human rights has been advanced.

8.1 A Primary and Secondary Education as well as Vocational Training for all Citizens Pursuant to the Law on Education, No. 03/L-068, approved on 21 May 2008 by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, throughout the Municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo, the funding formula for the education system has been modified. This modification is based on the Pre-University Education Strategy for 2007 – 2017. This Act commences the decentralization of the education financial system from central level to municipalities and schools.

During 2008, MASHT provided Municipal Directorates on Education with concrete assistance in budget planning for 2009 (in compliance with the envisaged transfer of competencies), respectively decentralization of budget on the basis of amended municipal laws. Municipalities shall manage a significant part of the education budget as part of the anticipated process of independence of budget from centre to lower municipality levels.

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MASHT commenced the process of licensing all teachers for pre-university education. On the basis of licensing criteria, MASHT has modified the linear payment system and is now based on work experience and professional background (education level) of the teacher (an increase from 10 – 35 %, plus work experience from 0,3% per year).

Free textbooks have been distributed at the lower level of primary schools. MASHT has provided free basic textbooks for grades 1 to 5 to all schools of the Republic of Kosovo. Free textbooks for grades 6 to 9 were distributed for pupils in severe social position. For this purpose, all relevant data have been gathered and afterwards the distribution of textbooks for this social category was conducted (a total of 185.000 textbooks).

For the first time in the Republic of Kosovo, a strict graduation test was held, on the basis of the Graduation Law.

The publication of the New ABC-Book (with a new content and design) has been initiated. Taking into account the interactive, content and graphic character, the new version of the ABC-Book will be more effective and efficient in producing initial results at pupils.

In conformity with the new state reality, after 17 February 2008, curricula for history, geography and civic education were reviewed, prepared and adopted. The committee on assessment and drafting of textbooks, during this reporting year, worked, and continues to do so, with regards to the drafting of new standards for the assessment and drafting the textbooks for all levels of pre-university education. It is expected to complete the first draft of the standards in the first part of 2009.

Efforts were put into definition and functionalizing of the National Qualification Framework and the National Qualification Authority. These two mechanisms shall provide the regulation of the structure and qualification system in the Republic of Kosovo for all respective occupations.

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Having in mind investment gaps in the past years in education and preparatory education, during this reporting period, the first draft of Education Standards for early childhood (0-6 years) has been finalized. The private institutions assessment committee for preparatory education prepared 25 recommendations on the possibility of their licensing. This is a concrete step towards resolving this problem, as it is assumed that the creation of preconditioning criteria for private providers will increase the volume and opportunities for a necessary treatment of children. Also, contemporary education at preparatory level has commenced with the monitoring and assessment of the project “Comprehensive Preparatory Education”. This assessment resulted in a balance of intensity and the need for comprehensiveness at preparatory education level.

The inclusion of children with special needs in preparatory education has continued. Investments were made in building professional capacities of teachers through trainings and practical methodologies focused on as wider involvement as possible of children with special needs in regular schools, attached classes respectively (a total of 2000 teachers have been trained; 150 of them as Training for Trainers). Trainings, equipment and didactic tools for these schools were provided in cooperation with the Finish Group on Special Education – FSDEK (a total of 878 didactic tools provided).

Work on transformation of special schools into the so-called Source Centers has continued. Transformation commenced with schools in Prizren, Prishtina and Peja. Efforts are ongoing to transform the schools in Mitrovica as well. These centers are expected to have a tangible and higher inclusion of children with special needs and treatment on the basis of internationally affirmed standards. As part of special education reformation, a class on autism in the primary school “Ismail Qemaili” in Prishtina has been established. Also, this year five assistants have been selected in attached classes and gardens having children with special needs. Apart from re-designation of over 40 primary and secondary school, many subjects were reviewed on the establishment respectively independence of 20 completely new schools.

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After the declaration of independence, a new pedagogic document for pre-university education has been drafted in three languages: Albanian, Bosnian and Turkish.

During the reporting period, the Pilot Test for grades 5 and 9 as well as the National Graduation Test were successfully conducted for all orientations of secondary higher education. For the sake of information and succession, the analysis and publication of the results of the abovementioned tests were conducted. Also, all subjects (79 of them) were reviewed in order to advance talented pupils.

An analysis with regards to the implementation of the Pre-University Education Strategy 2007-2017 has been conducted. This analysis reviewed concrete possibilities to functionalize and implement affirmative measures provided for by the Strategy. This analysis also includes many unrealized activities in 2007 in order to compensate the time anticipated in the strategy.

As a consequence of the spread of violence in schools, concrete steps have been undertaken in order to stop this negative occurrence. A Working Committee has been established, in cooperation with Ministry of Internal Affairs, on the issue of safety of pupils in schools, which produced an applicative strategy for the prohibition of violence. At the same time, MASHT cooperated and monitored activities of the NGO “Young Advocates”, a project which aims at drafting a concrete program for safety in schools.

As part of MASHT objectives for sound schools, during 2008, a presentation of the research on ionic insufficiency disorder in children was conducted as well as a report on the data on the state of potable water in schools of Kosovo.

With regards to its part in advancement and promotion of employment in Kosovo, apart from activities in preparing future resources, MASHT, in cooperation with KOSVET, MLSE, KCHC and SOK continued the drafting of the Kosovo Labor Market Strategy.

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In order to complete statistical data on the state of education for an efficient definition of policies and investments in education, statistics were gathered for the schooling year 2007/08. These data also served for the statistical manual prepared and published in Cooperation with UNICEF (project: “Devinfo”), which comprises e-disks with statistical data (years: 2004/05, 2005/2006 and 2006/07) as well.

Processing of statistical data on the success of pupils in primary education and vocational training was conducted on the basis of profiles (schooling year 2007/08). Whereas as far as the state of professional training of teachers is concerned, MASHT, during 2008, collected data on qualification of teachers and their experience at all levels of pre-university education. In order to address the phenomenon of school abandoning, initially the data for schooling year 2006/07 were processed which enable the review of trends and preventive affirmative measures against abandoning.

In cooperation with German organization GTZ, MASHT reviewed curricula for grades 10 and 11 of vocational training, with a modular approach, whereas additional curricula for vocational training in grades 11 and 12 are ongoing, few health profiles for grade 11, agriculture profile (plant protection), electro-techniques (meca-tronic), arts and music.

Professional standards’ modules on entrepreneurship have been drafted with an aim of training on successful establishment of commercial enterprises.

MASHT also worked with non-governmental partners and drafted curricula for optional subjects such as carrier education, international humanitarian law, life-skills education, etc.

During this reporting year, the Council on Education and Vocational Training (CEVT0 has been established, which developed concrete activities by recommending policies on EVT, drafting the EVT Strategy, development of curricula, training teachers, ensuring quality, assessment and professional standards exams etc.

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With the purpose of increasing qualification quality, a pilot project was conducted on the level of competency of vocational graduates for the continuation of studies and their practical inclusion in the work process. The program on Professional Excellency Schools on education and vocational training was compiled which planned the creation of various regions in Kosovo with clear orientations and profiles in compliance with the needs of Kosovo and European employment market. Concretization of this large project commenced with the signature of agreement between MASHT and Kingdom of Norway (December 2008), which allocated a donation of 60 million Norwegian koruna (approximately 7 million Euro), and together with 1.2 million Euro from Government of Kosovo, will be invested in the construction of two schools in spring 2009, one in Skenderaj (construction) and one in Malisheva (economy). Similarly we’ll act with respective partner states interested for massive investment in other schools envisaged by this project.

In order to increase quality skills on establishment and leading enterprises, students of vocational schools were provided with applicative modules within the so-called “exercise firms”, which stimulate all financial and administrative manipulations and correspondence to be had by an enterprise. This project is conducted in cooperation with Swisscontact and EcoNet.

For the purpose of increasing quality in education of our people in Diaspora, during 2008, the curricula for SHSHMP has been published and distributed in Diaspora, and published in the MASHT web-page. At the same time, the open competition for textbooks in native languages for Diaspora has been advertised.

Qualification modules were organized in order to build capacities of the educational staff. Among others, the teachers’ capacity building plan has been drafted as part of the project “Towards Effective Schooling”.

Special education teachers have been trained in the methodology of mathematics for autistic persons, language of signs, etc. (a total of 100 pupils and 30 teachers), whereas,

75

in cooperation with the World Health Organization, a plan on training teachers has been designed as part of the project “Literacy Critical Thinking (LCT)”. 840 teachers of professional schools have been trained in the program “Professional Didactics”. Also, during this year, 120 teachers-mentors in various areas have been certified.

In the area of “Trafficking in human beings”, 12 directors and 43 teachers of schools in municipality of Prishtina have been trained in order to build capacities of combating this phenomenon. Also, in this area, an awareness raising campaign was organized as part of the project “Campaign on Prevention of Trafficking in Human Beings” in municipalities of Mitrovica, Skenderaj and Vushtrri (with school directors, teachers of Albanian language and arts) where 217 teachers and 36 pupils have been trained. Within the training project “Step by Step”, 41 teachers and educators were trained, whereas “Literacy Critical Thinking” project trained and certified 1027 teachers.

Also, during this year, 357 teachers have been trained in the program “Pupil Centered Teaching”, which aimed at affirmation of the approach of teachers in interaction and focus with pupils. As part of managerial capacity building in preparatory education, 31 directors of preparatory institutions have been trained. It was also invested in professional capacity building of teachers in primary schools: 35 modular trainers have been trained for first grade curricula and 1700 teachers for the first grade. Whereas for the fifth grade, 59 trainers have been trained for modules in Albanian language and mathematics; in addition, there were trainings developed in all municipalities of Kosovo with teachers of fifth grade. On natural sciences, 51 teachers have been trained on “Initial Experimentation Approach” (IEA 1 and IEA 2).

8.2 Ensuring quality in higher education, science and technology

On the basis of MASHT Decision (2008), no Private Education Provider (PEP) in Kosovo has the right to organize doctoral studies. Also, a decision way made obliging all Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in Kosovo to establish offices to ensure quality as part of accreditation process. During 2008, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and

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MASHT made a decision that the accreditation of private higher education institution be conducted by external experts and for that purpose British Accreditation Council was engaged. At the beginning of June, a decision was made to commence with the accreditation of University of Prishtina on 1 October 2008.

During May and June, BAC inspected PEP’s as part of the process of licensing accreditation. After the completion of inspection BAC reported and published the report containing clear recommendations for steps to be undertaken by PEP’s and the Government of the Republic of Kosovo in order to accomplish quality standard.

On the basis of BAC report, Government of Kosovo made a decision that no PEP (except AUK) is allowed to register new students in the academic year 2008/09. On the basis of the Government decision and in compliance with the Law on Higher Education in the Republic of Kosovo, all PEP’s are obliged to apply in the second round of accreditation. In October, University of Prishtina was subject to the process of accreditation, which was conducted by the Kosovo Accreditation Agency. For this purpose, the Administrative Instruction on Criteria and Procedures of Accreditation of Higher Education Institution was prepared, whereas the AI on Criteria and Procedures on Accreditation of Vocational Higher Education Institutions is being drafted. MASHT engaged a British expert to monitor the level of implementation of BAC recommendations. The UP accreditation process and the second accreditation of PEP’s is ongoing.

The National Academic Recognition and Information Centre (NARIC) has been established.

MASHT, supported by the Austrian project (Kosovo-Austria Institutional

Partnership-KAIP), prepared and approved an Administration Instruction for this purpose.

The National Recognition Committee has been established, which started working on the basis of Administrative Instruction for the recognition and equivalence of university degrees obtained abroad. MASHT, through NARIC, continued the process of recognition of degrees obtained in foreign countries and insisted on verification of

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authenticity of documents. In the meantime, data are being inserted and the establishment of the NARIC data base has commenced.

Concrete activities for the improvement of studying conditions took place. Through the AI on student fees, the fees have decreased (up to 50%) and the category of students of self-financing abolished. MASHT took part in their organization and monitoring of student elections for 2008. Also, during this year the new Students’ Centre Board has been established and is functioning. A decision was made and the committee established on implementation of Government decision to increase the financial autonomy of UP. The number of students admitted in the first years of study has been increased, including an increase in the number of students from the region and from minorities (A total of 11.010 students, out of which 10.570 regular students; 306 students from the region and 134 minority students).

Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education, Science and Technology has been established. Advertisement for scholarships (MASHT) for students studying abroad has been published (the amount of scholarship has been doubled in comparison to last year).

The action plan for 2008/09 on internationalizing the Higher Education has been drafted and regular meetings of the Group on Promotion of Bologna Process held as well as the seminar on “Implementation of the Bologna Process”.

Group on Promotion of Bologna Process prepared to apply for membership into the important Bologna Process. With an aim of accomplishing obligations deriving from the Strategy on Development of Higher Education, the Bologna Process and approved policies by MASHT, a number of administrative instructions have been drafted and approved: Administrative Instruction on ECTS; Administrative Instruction on Diplomas prior and after Bologna; Administrative Instruction on Academic Titles; Administrative Instruction on the Form, Content and the Annex of Diploma.

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Concrete recommendations for the integral organizational chart of MASHT have been drafted.

The action plan on higher education for the period 2009 – 2011 has been drafted. With an aim of implementing the All-Sectorial Approach in Education, the document has been finalized and recommendations provided on the implementation on the All-Sectorial Approach in Education.

There was preparation of the National Qualification Framework and consolidation of the Program on National Re-qualification and Training. Work is ongoing in the World Bank document with an aim of implementing component IV of this project dealing with Higher Education (amendment of the Law on Higher Education and the feasibility study on forms of funding Higher Education in Kosovo).

Two committees have been established: Committee on Assessment of Implementation of Higher

Education

Strategy

in

Kosovo

and

Committee

on

Monitoring

the

Implementation of Higher Education Strategy. As a result, the assessment of implementation of Higher Education Strategy was conducted, and on the basis of this assessment, priorities for 2009 have been drawn.

8.3 Minority communities and human rights During the reporting period, for the purpose of educating communities, the development of curricula in the Roma language, as an optional course, has commenced. Also, textbooks for grade 5 in Bosnian and Turkish languages have been drafted, whereas textbooks for grade 9 in Turkish language are being translated and published. During this year, Historia for grades 6 and 7 have been published in Bosnian language as well as Citanka 4, Citanka 13 and Muzika 3. Another 10 manuscripts of national courses in Bosnian language and 9 in Turkish language are being revised.

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As part of the anti-illiteracy project, groups of women and girls from RAE community have been identified in Prizren, Ferizaj, Podujeva/Besiana and Gjakova in order to be integrated in the education process. Also, a festival was organized on “Life-Long Learning”, where results on education of minority communities were presented.

The project “You register too” for Roma, Egyptians and Ashkali has been initiated. This project deals with awareness-raising on the importance of registration and continuation of schooling of RAE communities. In grade 10 this year, 38 pupils from Bosnian, Turkish and RAE communities have been registered in schools and profiles of their interest, regardless of their success.

This year, UP registered 56 Bosnians, 40 Turkish and 38 RAE students on the basis of reserved quotas. Intensive work was conducted in the ground with regards to the ascertainment of factual state in the process of assessment (passing) of RAE pupils (Gjakova and Peja). Textbooks have been provided for 110 Roma pupils from Fushe Kosova, attending classes in Serb language.

MASHT realized the project on training of preparatory institutions’ educators in the area of the rights of the child and gender equality. Also, the training of authors and revisers of textbooks was organized in order to include the gender perspective in textbooks. MASHT has adopted and published the manual “gender equality in education” for the preparatory education level.

8.4 Quality increase and schooling equipment With an aim of increasing quality space and inventory for the development of teaching, during 2008, MASHT completed investments in 20 new schooling premises and 3 renovations, and works are ongoing in 53 schooling premises and renovations in 5 schools as well as construction of a physical training hall.

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Schooling inventory was provided to all new schools and few constructed schools by donors as well as few existing schools.

Contracts were concluded for final tasks of its premises, respectively continuation of works in the third stage. In the Students’ Centre, works on construction of accommodation No. 6 are being finalized. At the same time, MASHT is running procurement procedures with regards to equipping accommodation with respective inventory.

Funds have been allocated and the cornerstone of the new premises of the Faculty of Education has been set. UP Rectorate has drafted the project for this faculty and MASHT developed bidding procedures for the construction of this building, whereas the renovation of Faculty of Medicine, ORL building was completed successfully.

Accommodation ”Sadik Stavileci” in Gjakova has been renovated, whereas the project of construction of University Library is ongoing, with works reaching the third stage of construction.

During the reporting period, due to an increase of pupils in schools, MASHT has opened two classes for grades 10 in Prizren, one in Bosnian in the secondary medical school and one for Turks in the city gymnasium, natural science orientation. MASHT commenced the envisaged project of equipping schools with computer rooms. Initially, conditions in schools with existing equipment and their quality were identified and, then, 30 schools were equipped with computer rooms. During 2009, MASHT plans to complete all schools of the Republic of Kosovo with computer rooms. Also, during the reporting year, the concrete drafting of education policies of the IT curricula (e-learning) for these computer rooms commenced - among others, through the development and appropriation of training portals and content module portals for learning and mutual virtual information.

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8.5 Legal aspects During 2008, MASHT worked on the consolidation of legal basis and dispositions in compliance with defined priorities and reforms in the dynamic work plan. The Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo approved the Law on National Qualifications, Law on Final Examination and Graduation Examination as well as the Law on Education in the Municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo. At the drafting procedure remain: Draft Law on Compulsory and Higher Secondary Education, Draft Law on Albanologic Institute and Draft Law on Pedagogic Institute (the approval of these laws is transferred into 2009). More than 37 AI’s have been drafted and approved and 4 of them are pending signature by the Minister.

8.6 Sectorial capacity building in cooperation and information For the first time, the consolidation of coordination and property capacities of MASHT on investments and activities coming from international partners in the sector of education has been initiated. For this purpose, MASHT has established the Donor Coordination Unit, which has started coordinating investments and projects financed as well as those that were partially financed by donors. A basis for this new approach is the detailed study of feasibility (towards a comprehensive sectorial approach).

With a Government decision, the National Program on Return of Human Resources (Brain Return), from abroad has commenced. For effective and efficient administration of this program, a data base of Kosovo intellectuals and experts living and acting within and abroad, has been created. The Brain Return program has prepared the web-page including the digital application for the registration of Kosovo potential intellectuals and experts.

As part of exchange of best educational experience and professional trainings as well as the establishment of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, dozens of study and official visits (at all levels with respective counterparts) have been conducted in many European

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states. These working visits resulted in donations and various types of professional assistance for capacity building needs and quality education in the Republic of Kosovo. MASHT budget for 2008 was executed at 92% on the basis of budgetary categories.

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9. ENERGY AND MINING

Ministry of Energy and Mining (MEM) is responsible for the drafting and implementation of Government policies in the area of energy and mining as well as preparation and implementation of laws for the development of energy and mining sector with an aim of achieving the best possible unity of social and economic values.

9.1 Monitoring the implementation of Kosovo Energy Strategy and KES Review for 2005-2015 On the basis of the Kosovo Government Program and in compliance with the Energy Law, Ministry of Energy and Mining defines development objectives and priorities on the basis of energy sectors. The obligation to review the Energy Strategy derives from the Energy Law as well as dynamic developments of the sector and compliance with ECT requirements for the establishment of a joint regional market as well as protection of living environment.

Kosovo Energy Strategy deals with effective management of existing energy resources as well as development of new sources with an aim of defining policies and measures for the utilization of energy resources for the benefit of economic development and social welfare by preserving the environment on the basis of internationally recognized standards. The short-term period of the Strategy includes a three year period, up to 2011, whereas the mid-term up to 2015. Long-term and mid-term aims and actions of the strategy include the 5 to 10 years period, with a vision of a longer period of time in few key points of high interest for this sector.

The reviewed energy strategy was prepared by MEM taking into account a series of studies and developments in the sector, and by engaging a large number of experts in this field as well as through the organization of debates with all stakeholders and relevant institutions.

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On the basis of energy balance and anticipation of energy demands, the infrastructure of annual and long-term energy balance, on the basis of Energy Law, has been conducted. Pursuant to Energy Law, the balance of electric energy is conducted by KOSTT. The balance document for 2009-2018, drafted by KOSTT, got the consent from ERO and was approved by MEM.

9.2 Accomplishment of Obligations of Kosovo deriving from ECT Ministry of Energy and Mining has drafted the National Energy Efficiency Plan based on EU Directives on Energy Efficiency as well as their impact in the Energy Community.

Increase in Energy Efficiency and the use of RSE, will contribute to the realization of main policy aims for the economic growth in general, ensuring energy supply and protection of environment.

In the spirit of ECT principles, MEM has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of Energy with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy of the Republic of Albania.

9.3 Kosovo Mining Strategy for 2008-2023 Ministry of Energy and Mining prepared the final draft of the Mining Strategy, presentation of comprehensive existing situation, economic potential, issues and challenges, analysis of competitive ability, strategic objectives in the mining sector which is at the stage of public discussion.

9.4. ESTAP III/4 Development and participation of community in the mining sector, preparation of development plan, participation and implementation of ESTAP III/4 project, analysis of guidelines on consultation and development of community in the mining sector. The list

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of zones of interest has been drafted including the following: Karaca, Vllahi-Zjaca, Bushevc-Bolevc, Zhegovc, Baks, Terstenik, and Debellda. 9.5 Completion of Legislation in the Area of Energy and Mining

Ministry of Energy and Mining has prepared the draft law on natural gas. This draft laws aims at defining the organization and functioning of the natural gas sector, market access, criteria and procedures valid for the provision of authorizations on transport, distribution, supply and deposit of natural gas and operation systems.

The following secondary legislation has been approved: Administrative Instruction on Labeling of Housing Equipment, Administrative Instruction on Energy Audit, Administrative Instruction on Use of Energy by Final Consumers, Administrative Instruction on Annual and Decade Indicative Goals for RSE. These AI’s deriving from existing laws are harmonized with EU laws and standardized on the basis of Aquies Communitaire.

9.6 Capital Projects In order to enable an increase in the level of usage of Renewable Sources (RSE), few assessment studies were organized with regards to potential solar energy, wind, bioenergy as well as geothermic waters. The drafting of the Bidding Package model, procedures on construction of new small hydro-plants in Kosovo was done. A data base on the balance and energy statistics of the country was created. There was capacity building on energy audit and management of energy at municipal level. There was a study of energy efficiency in public buildings. - Implementation of KPEERSE 2007-2009 – Study project on assessment of potential wind, bio and geothermic energy, needs additional studies to measure potentials of wind and geothermic waters.

- Promotion of the use of solar energy, placement of solar panels for the heating of sanitary water in KCUC.

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- Treatment of acid water and storages for mining in Stanterg and Novoberda/Artana. - Geologic correlation of the border Kosovo-Albania. - Creating a data base on dwellings in mining zones.

9.7 Special Projects National GIS MEM started the realization of the project of creating a National GIS for Kosovo (Geographical Information System). This project will enable the unification of all national data of Kosovo.

Kosovo Seismic Network MEM/Kosovo Seismological Institute managed to build the Seismologic Network of Kosovo, which, since 06.07.08, commenced monitoring the seismic activity of the country at certain times with the assistance of seismic equipment. Seismic equipment, seismographs and accelerographs were installed at secondary seismic stations in Peja, Zatriq, Smrekonica, Gjilan and Prizren, connected with the central station in Prishtina, through the digital communication system of seismic data. After the request made, Kosovo Seismologic Institute, was admitted as a member of the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on 10.09.2008 at the meeting of General Assembly held in Crete, Greece.

MEM/Kosovo Seismologic Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with the Institute of Geosciences of the Republic of Albania.

Agreement includes the mutual exchange of information in the area of seismology; exchange of experience for the development of Kosovo Seismologic Institute; Coordination of regional activities; assistance and cooperation in building and training human resources.

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10. LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE On the basis of work plan for 2008 and the scope of activity within Government of Kosovo, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare has continued successfully with the realization of its objectives and obligations according to existing legislation, regulating the social sphere, labor, employment and supervision of applicable legal provisions in Kosovo.

With regards to international activity, it is worth emphasizing the visit of Deputy Minister to Switzerland and France where he had fruitful meetings with senior leaders of respective ministries and central subject of discussion was finding possibilities for seasonal employment of jobseekers in these states. The visit of the Deputy Minister in France was preceded by the signature of the agreement of cooperation between Government of Kosovo – MPMS and Government of France, signed in Prishtina. On behalf of MPMS, this agreement was signed by the Minister, whereas on behalf of Government of France, by the Ambassador of France in Kosovo.

As part of IPA, MPMS, with the assistance of local and international employment experts, prepared the detailed draft proposal to receive assistance in the project “Promotion of Employment through Professional Trainings in Companies”, where apart from MPMS, another beneficiary of this project was MKRS.

10.1 Legislation Special attention was paid to the accomplishment of legal obligations deriving from the MPMS legislative plan for 2008 as well as responsibilities deriving from the Government Legislative Strategy for this reporting period. On the basis of MPMS and Kosovo Government Legislative Strategies for 2008, five draft laws has been drafted, reviewed and finalized from the scope of activity of MPMS:

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1. Draft Law on premature pensioning of active members of KPC, who will be included in the Kosovo Security Force (also included in the Ahtisaari’s Settlement Document); 2. Draft Law on Labor; 3. Draft Law on Amendment to Law No. 2-L/2 on status and rights of families of martyrs, invalids, veterans and members of KLA and families of civilian victims of war; 4. Draft Law on Pension and Invalid Insurance in Kosovo; and 5. Draft Law on Employment of Foreigners in Kosovo. For the purpose of just and efficient implementation of primary legislation in the MPMS scope of activity, the following secondary legislation has been approved: ¾

Administrative Instruction No. 01/2008 for the Provision and Ensuring Financial Support to Local NGO’s during 2008;

¾

Administrative Instruction No. 02/2008 on the Amendment of AI No. 08/2005 on Organization, Systemizing and Management of MPMS;

¾

Administrative Instruction No. 03/2008 on Regulation and Definition of Procedures for the Payment of Pensions Defined by Law No. 02/L-2 for 2008;

¾

Administrative Instruction No. 04/2008 on Amendment of AI. No. 01/2008 on Provision and Ensuring Financial Support to Local NGO’s for 2008;

¾

Administrative Instruction No. 05/2008 on Regulation and Definition of Criteria and Procedures for the Registration of Labor Unions;

¾

Administrative Instruction No. 06/2008 on Amendment to AI No. 05/2007 on Regulation and Definition of Procedures for Financial Payments for Maternity Leave in the Kosovo Civil Service;

¾

Administrative Instruction No. 07/2008 on Amendment of AI No. 05/2008 on Regulation and Definition of Criteria and Procedures for the Registration of Labor Unions;

¾

Administrative Instruction No. 17/2008 on Prevention of Dangerous Labor for Children in Kosovo;

¾

Draft Administrative Instruction on Establishment and Functioning of Medical Commissions of MPMS;

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¾

Draft Administrative Instruction on Functioning of Social-Economic Council.

Apart from the drafting of primary and secondary legislation, the following Agreements of Understanding have been drafted: ¾ Agreement

of

Understanding

between

MPMS

and

Non-Governmental

Organizations for 2008; ¾ Agreement of Understanding concluded between MPMS and Secondary Vocational School “Ismet Kumanova” – Shtima; ¾ Agreement of Understanding concluded between MPMS and NGO “Citizens Development Society” (CSD) Graqanica; and ¾ Draft Agreement on Establishment of Social-Economic Council on the basis of ILO Conventions regulating social dialogue, EU legislation and analysis of practices of South-Eastern Europe states (expected to be signed by social partners). Special attention was paid to legal approximation with EU legislation, which means that draft laws were initially approximated with the Acquis Communautaire.

Legal aid for MPMS clients and partners was provided through legal advice, recommendations, instructions and opinions. This legal aid resulted in the resolution of many contested issues in favor of citizens, in compliance with applicable legislation.

During the reporting period most of legal aid was provided with regards to the realization of rights of persons with disabilities, rights on the use of social assistance, social assistance for special cases, rights on the use of base pension, conditions and criteria for the realization of rights defined with the Law on Values of War, interpretations of legal provisions of the Regulation on Basic Labor Law and interpretations on Collective Contract.

10.2 Capital Investments

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Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, during this year, invested 4 million and 318 thousand and 740 Euro in capital investment for the renovation of Recreational Center of Children in Nashec (714 108,04 Euro), construction of Municipal Employment Office in Ferizaj

(259.084.00

Euro),

construction

of

Municipal

Employment

Office

in

Kamenica/Dardana (139.462.00 Euro), construction of the building for social housing in Skenderaj (616.578.97 Euro), construction of the building for social housing in Drenas (475.098.00 Euro), construction of the building for social housing in Graqanica (629.457.10 euro), renovation of MHI and the Community House in Shtima (90.937.00 Euro), construction of building for CSA in Lipjan (141.713.89 Euro), construction of CSA premise in Vushtrri (186.818.54 Euro), construction of the premise for elderly persons and without parental care in Mitrovica (361.012.40 Euro), construction of social housing premise in Gjakova (439.835.14 Euro), construction of social housing premise in Dobratin (281.994.02 Euro), renovation of the rook of VTC in Prizren (23 8892.00 Euro).

10.3 Institutional Care for Families of Martyrs, War Invalids and Veterans, and Civilian Victims of war Since January, the full implementation of the Law No. 02/L-2 in the area of pensions for families of martyrs, war invalids and veterans and families of civilian victims of war commenced.

Up to now, the right to pension was realized by a total of 11.425 users, whereas the funds spent for the payment of pensions for this category are 16.340.276.77 €.

Decisions of Government of Kosovo No. 10/22, dated 30.05.2008 on health rehabilitation of 800 KLA invalids and 200 members of families of martyrs in amount of 153.000.00 €, and No. 03/45, dated 14.11.2008, on heating and food for Association of KLA invalids in amount of 125,000.00 € were executed.

For the implementation of the agreement of cooperation between MPMS and NGO’s, associations of war, Association of Political Prisoners, Calls of Mothers, War Civilian Invalids League and 27 April 1999-Meja, an a mount of 113.850 € was allocated.

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In the rehabilitation institutions of Peja and Kllokot, 159 war invalids were sent, with a project cost of 23.850€. During this year, 5.678 new cases, 297 reassessment cases, 193 complaints and around 1 thousand various requests have been received.

With an aim of providing recommendations with regards to the amendment of the Law on Values of War, 110 families of martyrs and invalids of war have been visited and interviewed. 10.4 Social Welfare MPMS is making continuous efforts to establish the appropriate standards for social protection and services, wide and sustainable financial support of vulnerable groups, including legitimate and transparent criteria. During this year, efforts were made to the realization and implementation of the following actions: -

Development of social services, in harmony with the requests of various groups (abandoned children, victims of trafficking, victims of domestic violence, victims of child abuse, cases of diseased, elder people, persons with disabilities, the returnees etc). ¾ Implementation of the Law on Social Assistance and modification of criteria for the beneficiaries of social assistance with an aim of delivering social assistance to the poorest; ¾ Development of social infrastructure and temporary housing of various groups damaged in emergency situations and the network of community based houses for the protection of children, elder persons and persons with disabilities.

With an aim of establishing better conditions for social services in municipalities, during this year, an agreement was reached with MA of Vushtrri and Lipjan to construct new premises for Centers for Social Affairs, whereby MA’s provided the land and allocated 50 thousand Euro, MA Vushtrri and MA Lipjan allocated 55 thousand Euro, whereas the other part of funds was provided by MPMS.

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With the decision of Government of Kosovo in August 2008, the Inter-Ministerial Working Group on the drafting of the “White Paper” on social policies has been established. This Group is chaired by MPMS and included representatives of MEF, MASHT, MSH, SOK and representatives of pensioners. In the advisory capacity, this Board includes representatives of the World Bank, UNDP and European Commission. 10 meetings of the Group have been held, and the historical and present part in the area of education, health, labor market and social protection have been prepared.

With a decision of MPMS and MASHT, a working group on the transfer of competencies in the area of social services has been established. This working group includes representatives from MEF in order to prepare budgetary allocations for each municipality to be transferred when the transfer of competencies is conducted from central to local level. On the basis of legislation in force, MPMS, through its professional institutions is responsible for planning, organizing and monitoring social services, from child protection up to the protection of adults and the elderly. For children without parental care, including abandoned children, children whose parents are not alive, unknown, missing or not taking care of their children for any reason, we have managed to arrange 11 cases of family union.

For children without parental care, housed at their relatives, the maximum number of sheltered children was 618, whereas the minimal number was 597. This shelter category received an amount of 75 Euro per month. For abandoned and abused children, sheltered with trained families without family relations with the children, the maximum number of monthly sheltering was 42 whereas the minimal 38. The assistance for this category is 150 Euro.

The Government of the Republic of Kosovo has signed the Agreement of Cooperation with NGO “SOS Kinderdorf” for the temporary sheltering of children without parental care and abandoned children. This SOS project provided shelter for 27 children per

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month, whereas in the project House of Bees 4 abandoned children with special needs have been sheltered. House of Bees is financed jointly by SOS Kinderdorf and MPMS. During this year, 36 children have been adopted. In Shpresa shelter and Houses of Children, 23 abused children have moved, whereas 8 children are still sheltered because there are no conditions yet for family union. Also, 1500 delinquent children and 358 children with asocial behavior have been treated. For the protection of these children, appropriate forms of protection have been applied in compliance with laws in force. Good partnership with courts, police, correctional service, schools and NGO’s has been established. MPMS continued monitoring and engaging in prevention of hard labor for children with the drafting of five standard forms for the process of monitoring children’s labor to be used by all partners involved in this process. Also, three local action committees have been established with 74 certified officers (Prishtina, Prizren and Mitrovica).

Research “Domestic Violence 2004 – 2008” has been prepared and submitted for publication; also draft proposals on “Violence in School, Narcomania, A Society without Barriers” have been drafted, whereas an information brochure for the monitoring of child labor has been prepared.

As part of social services, MPMS was engaged with additional duties in the implementation of the Project of Return of Persons from Third Countries. On the basis of reports submitted by social employees in the ground (Airport), the number of persons returned and services provided by MPMS for 2008 is 1535 out of which 328 voluntaries and 1207 deported.

Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, on the basis of procurement procedures, signed contracts for one year support with six NGO’s, who have shelters for victims of domestic violence. These provide shelters for women and women with children who are victims of domestic violence. Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare supports them with 50% of basic expenditure such as food, clothes, medicaments etc.

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Institutional/residential care for elder persons and without family care as well as persons with mental disabilities was, and is being, realized in the House of Elderly in Prishtina, Community House in Skenderaj as well as basic Institute in Shtima and another 7 community houses. Four community houses have been functionalized; two for elderly persons (Skenderaj and

Gurakoc)

and

two

for

persons

with

mental

disabilities

(Decan

and

Kamenica/Dardana).

Supported by a donation of 10.000 € by the Italian Police we managed to purchase beds for 64 clients in the basic Institute in Shtima. The renovation of all premises in this Institution and Community House in Shtima has been conducted amounting at 100.000,00 €. In this manner the life quality of the clients of these Institutions have been improved and advanced.

Increased engagement of all staff involved in the Social Assistance Scheme had a significant impact in improving this scheme, which may be noticed from the gradual decrease in the number of users of social assistance which have not accomplished criteria on the basis of the Law on Social Assistance Scheme.

During this year, the number of beneficiaries of social assistance decreased for 3.685 families or 9.85 % and the amount of funds decreased for 231.720.00 € or 10.13 % less.

At present the number of social assistance beneficiaries is 33.716 families with 146.513 members, whereas the total amount paid, during this period, was 21.925.966.00 Euro. The national structure of families benefiting from social assistance in Kosovo, expressed in percentage is as follows: Albanians 78.68 %, Serbs 12.56 %, Montenegrins 0.03 %, Bosnians 1.84 %, Turkish 0.30 %, Ashkali 3.64 %, Roma 2.27 %, undeclared 0.33 % and other 0.34 %.

10.5 Labor and Employment

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One of the most emphasized activities during this year was the issue of employing jobseekers, knowing the fact that according to researches conducted the level of unemployment in Kosovo is 43%. It is important that MPMS focused its activities in other tasks as well such implementation of the European Partnership Action Plan for Kosovo, Action Plan on Employment of Youth in Kosovo 2006 - 2010, IPA Program (Pre-Accession Instrument for EU 2007 - 2013), drafting and developing projects within the Employment General Program, in partnership with UNDP and ILO, Program of Active Employment Market for Youth and drafting the document of review of State Employment Policies in Kosovo, prepared by ILO in cooperation with MPMS.

Seven regional employment centers and 23 municipal employment offices as well as six sub-offices have registered 15.921 new jobseekers, out of which 6.777 women, 14.635 jobseekers were unregistered; 18.200 enterprises have been visited for possible vacancies at all sectors and 4.862 jobs found; through the process of mediation in employment 3.978 jobseekers have been employment, whereas through advice and other professional assistance 18.824 jobseekers have been assisted.

MPMS, in cooperation with ILO, UNDP, municipalities and other partners realized the “Active Labor Market Program for Youth”, project of seasonal employment of students in Germany, program of public works for 2008, project on forestation of areas throughout the territory of Kosovo, Program of LUX Development from Luxemburg for the training and employment of youth and the project of employment of persons with disabilities, financed by UNDP.

For 2008, MPMS allocated funds in amount of 100.000 Euro on employment policies and active labor market, in order to realize projects on public works. For this purpose, memoranda of understanding have been prepared between MPMS and municipalities. To this end, 15 sub-projects have been implemented in these municipalities: Prishtina, Obiliq/Kastriot, Novoberda/Artana, Prizren, Mitrovica, Gjilan, Kamenica/Dardana, Viti, Ferizaj, Kacanik, Shtima, Gjakova, Istog/Burim, Decan and Podujeva/Besiana.

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For the realization of these projects 614 jobseekers have been engaged, respectively 614 mediations conducted, mainly unqualified and with a severe economic state in duration from 1 to 3 months. In these projects, 67 members from minorities were engaged.

LUX Development Project (from Luxemburg) implemented on-the-job training (in companies) of approximately 225 young jobseekers throughout the territory of Kosovo as well as transportation of 10 jobseekers with disabilities that were trained in VTC in Peja for a period of six months. The project started implementing in March 2008 and was completed by the end of November 2008. This cost was 50.720 Euro, funded by the Government of Luxemburg.

MLSE in cooperation with Kosovo Forestry Agency and Municipalities signed the Memorandum of Understanding and realized the project “Autumn Forestation 2008” in Kosovo, including 30 sub-projects, with the mediation of 917 jobseekers, mainly unqualified, for a one month period. Therefore, the engaged jobseekers for the realization of this project have planted around 1 million young plants into 400 hectares throughout Kosovo.

The most important activities in the area of vocational training are as follows: in cooperation with MKRS and MASHT, the Education and Employment for IPA has been drafted. Also, cooperation between MPMS and IOM has continued on opportunities of vocational training and mediation in employment; implementation of the Strategy on Education and Vocational Training in entrepreneurship in three Vocational Centers: Peja, Prizren and Ferizaj; inter-ministerial Group (MPMS, MASHT and MBPZHR) drafted the document Logical Framework on Education and Vocational Training in the area of Forestry in Kosovo.

On the basis of data from Vocational Training Centers, during this period, trainings included 2.304 candidates (out of which 397 were transferred from last year). Out of this number, 853 were women. During this period a total of 1555 candidates have been certified.

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With the support of ARrK Association, two mobile centers of vocational training have been established in Kacanik and Skenderaj.

With regards to maternity leave of employees of Kosovo Civil Service, 796 applications have been received and were verified for regularity. Out of these, payments were conducted for 766 women employed.

10.6 Supervision of Legal Provisions Regulating the Area of Labor, Employment, Occupational Safety, Protection of Health of Employees and Working Conditions Supervision of provisions regulating the abovementioned areas is realized through the Labor Inspectorate Executive Body (LIEB), which during this reporting period, conducted 5.929 inspections, involving 19.119 employees. Also, a total of 4.836 regular inspections, 644 controlling inspections, 238 special inspections, 159 inspections in cooperation with other supervisory bodies and 689 controls on verification of working conditions for the provision of work permit. As far as conclusions are concerned, 4889 minutes and 890 official notes have been drafted; 393 written warnings drafted and 924 judgments made. The total number of written requests addressed to LIEB was 360, which were addressed properly.

LIEB is firm to punish all types of labor discrimination: racial, gender, national, religious, heritage, political opinion, labor union, persons with disabilities, same payment for the same job for men and women.

10.7 Pensions In the area of MPMS pensions, during this year, we continued with coordination of tasks for the implementation of pension schemes (Basic Pension, Pension for Persons with Disabilities and Premature Pension for “Trepça”), on the basis of existing legislation regulating this sphere.

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Since January, the implementation of Administrative Instruction No. 11/2007, providing for an increase of basic pension for 35 Euro for all pensioners that have contributed for 15 years into the former pension fund has commenced. Up to date, 27.389 pensioners have benefited from this increase.

The list of beneficiaries of Basic Pension for November 2008, included 137.792 pensioners, whereas the total amount of funds for these pensions for the period January – November 2008 was 60.169.120 Euro, including increased pensions.

The Scheme of Persons with Disabilities has 19.057 beneficiaries, whereas during this reporting period, for this category, 8.100.000 Euro have been allocated. The “Trepça” scheme includes 4.577 beneficiaries, whereas the amount paid for this period was 2.318.250 Euro.

MPMS, respectively the department on pensions, conducted a very fruitful activity for citizens of Kosovo that worked and contributed abroad, on the basis of international conventions in force since 1968. Through MPMS, 1.459 citizens have regulated their elderly pension, 712 family pensions, 549 citizens have regulated their invalid pension mainly in countries of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Italy.

10.8 Budget and Finances From the overall budget for 2008, amounting at 156.730.459.00€, during this period a total of 146.543.589.59 € were allocated, and the rest 10.186.869.41 € remained unallocated.

The amount of budget spent during this period is 125.398.584.65 € and 4.622.179.13 € remain committed. The spent budget, expressed in percentage is 77.1%, out of the total budget for 2008, whereas 31.331.874.35 Euro remains unspent.

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11. HEALTH Ministry of Health, pursuant to its work plan for 2008, in the area of policy making and law implementation through a non-discriminatory and responsible system of health care, in a reformed and transparent manner, through monitoring, budget increase and its full realization, managed to stop further degrading of the health sector, by introducing tangible improvements in supply with medications and equipment, in quality as well as quantity. Services have improved by:

Revising the Kosovo Health Strategy for 2005 - 2015, Revising the Strategy on Primary Health Care, Revising of the Strategy on HIS 2006-2013, drafting the Strategy against HIV/AIDS 2006-2013, amending the Law on Tobacco No. 02/L-36 (ongoing), Draft Law on Health Insurance (ongoing), drafting the report on the feasibility study for sustainable funding of health sector, basis for the drafting of the funding strategy, draft law on Primary Health Care, drafting of the MoU between MSH and KPS and Zero Positive Publics on the implementation of the support project package “My Baby”; Introducing policies on food safety and control, supervision of implementation of food standards, including inspection and other services, monitoring and implementation of measures on prevention, identification and problem solution in the area of public health, pharmaceuticals, realization of capital investments, budget, finances, Continuous Professional Education (CPE), treatment abroad, MoU on KMPA between MSH and MEF on KMPA revenues, MoU on the use of Revenues and Co-Payments for Health Services, Amendment of the Law on Health No. 2004/4, in compliance with Ahtisaari’s Settlement Document for the transfer of competencies from the central level to municipal.

11.1 Coordination of Activities in the Health Sector in order to Promote Coherent Development of Health Policy

Technical assistance to health institutions for the drafting of projects for the donor conference and coordination of activities for the implementation of capital projects of MSH for 2008; Memorandum of Understanding with the MSH of the Republic of

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Albania, Revival of Memorandum of Cooperation with the Dentistry University Centre in Tirana; MoU with the Czech Hospital for the Emergency Centre, the organization of the videoconference between London – Prishtina – South Africa and USA on: The Future of Dentistry Education, by the Tele-Medication Centre; provision of health services to sportsmen and others dealing with recreations (diseases, injuries); signing the agreement on the grant against HIV/AIDS project and continuation of the project of TB with the Global Fund; Coordination between Ministry of Health and MKRS on raising the awareness on the systematic control of Kosovars sportsmen; development and implementation of the public information campaign and other promotional projects aiming at increasing the level of public awareness and compliance with relevant international standards; preparation and drafting of the budget of Ministry of Health for 2009 – 2011; MoU between MSH and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy on “Assistance to Babies and Mothers” in municipalities of Peja and Mitrovica; assessment on professional technical conditions of Private Health Institutions by Committees; Licensing of PHI’s; inter-ministerial coordination for the project on the Strategy of Health Promotional Schooling and drafting of Strategic Framework “Child’s and Teenagers Health”, MoU between MSH and MD on health in prisons; cooperation with MMPH on annihilation of expired medications, cooperation with MPS for the construction of the storage for medicaments.

11.2 Establishing Norms and Standards and Issuance of Administrative Instructions in the Health Sector, by Respecting Relevant International Standards

Drafting of AI on Salt Quality; Drafting of AI on Procedures of Registration and Licensing of Nurses, Midwives and Medical Technical Assistants with Secondary, Higher and University Education; Drafting of AI on Kosovo Committee on Assessment of Medical Products and Equipment; Drafting of AI on HIV/AIDS in Kosovo, supported by FGATM; Amendment of AI on Minimal Technical-Medical Conditions, Space and Staff of PHI’s based on the type of institution; Preparation of the List of Health Procedures and Norms in Kosovo; Drafting the Draft-Regulation on Monitoring the Quality of Potable Water based on EU Directive on Potable Water No. 83/96EC;

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Drafting of WHO Guideline for Health in Prisons; Drafting of MoU between MSH and MPMS on Abandoned Babies”; Drafting of the Provisional List of Prices for Secondary and Tertiary Health Services; Administration of Three Components of the World Bank PEMTAG project; Approving the Regulation on Protection against Fire; Drafting of MSH Strategic Declaration; Approving the Operational Plan for KCUC on Emergency Situation Actions; Establishment of the Office on Health of Mother and the Child with Reproductive Health; Preparing the AI on Unification of Salaries; drafting the AI on Tariffs of Sanitary Inspection of Kosovo; Amendment of AI No. 05/005 on Authorization of Marketing of Medical Products placed in Kosovo; Approving the Status of the Sports Medical Centre; Drafting Procedures on Accreditation of Water Laboratory in the National Public Health Institute according to ISO Standards; Drafting the Emergency Plan for the Provision of Sanitary Permits – Certificates on Imports and Exports; Provision of Licenses for Local Food Products; Provision of Licenses for Exhumation; Drafting the Secondary Legislation on the Prescription of Narcotic Medications; Drafting of Secondary Legislation on Prescriptions and Medical Documentation.

11.3 Supervising the Implementation of Standards, including Inspection and other Services as required Implementation of Kosovo Government Decisions; Regular, Thematic and Specific Inspections to Public and Private Health Institutions (300 inspections of KHI’s, 850 IFK, 7022 ISK); Drafting of Analysis of Morbidity in KPSH; Inspection of Health Institutions with regards to Inner Hospital Infections; Inspection of health institutions on maintenance of medical files; review claims and disciplinary procedures; licensing of private health institutions; licensing of private hospitals commenced; long-term contracts for supply with medication; supervision of implementation of Administrative Instruction – UNIREF; cooperation with Public Prosecution and other bodies to review the responsibility of health professionals in their failure to provide quality health services or damaging the health of patients.

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11.4 Monitoring the Situation and Implementing Appropriate Measures on Prevention, Identification and Controls in the health Sector Regular monitoring of health institutions; supply of health institutions with medications and other materials (essential list medication, materials for dialysis) within affordable possibilities; monitoring, analysis and reporting on the epidemiological situation in Kosovo, the state of commensurable diseases; functionalizing the system on pharmaceutical stock management; monitoring the epidemiological situation for tularaemia; monitoring the quality of urban water in 5 municipalities of Prishtina region; provision of assistance in the case of Gerdec (Albania) with blood and blood products; monitoring of hygiene-sanitary conditions in health institutions; regular monitoring of water, land and air (measurement with basic parameters and heavy metals); continuous monitoring of intra-hospital infections by KNPIBH; monitoring the epidemiological situation with TB according to the component of the DOTS program; implementation of decision of Government of Kosovo on closure of all businesses in KCUC premises; monitoring the epidemiological situation with regards to HIV/AIDS; monitoring the epidemiological situation on measles and congenital rubella; monitoring the quality of urban and rural bottled water, reactive waters, producers of juices and food; routine inspections of food industry (diary producers, slaughter-houses, conditional products); requests for the accomplishment of sanitary – hygiene and technical-sanitary products in some food industries; inspection of educational institutions (kindergartens, primary, secondary and higher education schools) on sanitary – hygiene and technical – sanitary conditions; inspection of the International Prishtina Airport, inspection of Correctional Centers – Prisons, inspections of hydro-systems, continuation of the project on defining the level of lead in blood in Mitrovica region (WHO/KIPS/MSH/University/Ministry of Environment); activity of the Steering Committee of FSCK for the establishment of Food Control Agency is ongoing; drafting of the final report on two year progress 20062007 on UNGASS Declaration; setting of bar-codes for budgetary programs within the central administration of the Ministry on collection of revenues; preparation and implementation of the plan on recommendations of the General Audit report on

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Ministry of Health Financial Overviews for 2007; implementing the project “Distribution of Essential List Medications in KCUC and Regional Hospitals”.

11.5 Managing the Use and Development of Infrastructure related to Health Care, under the Responsibility of MSH The budget review allocated additional funds for the Kosovo Clinical University Centre, Pharmaceutical Program and the Program on Medical Treatment Abroad; signing of agreement with NORWAC from Norway on Assessment of the Project for Mitrovica Hospital; new capacities have been built; Integration House in Drenas, Centre of Mental Health in Podujeva/Besiana, Emergency Centre, Coronary and Neurology Unit in Peja; functionalizing of the Laboratory of Quality Control of Medical Products; Central Intensive Medicine – KCUC, prioritizing projects for IPA 2009, renovation and equipping with equipment and laboratories for microbiology for the diagnosis of Avian Influenza; submitting the legal framework for the HIS project for IPA 2009; drafting of projects for the Donor Conference in Brussels, supplying of health institutions with hemo-dialysis products have been fully accomplished in 2008 and supplies provided for the next six month in 2009; supplying with necessary quantity of insulin for 2008 and accomplishment of needs for another six months of 2009; improving the supply with citostatics for 2008, revision of the Essential List for the primary, secondary and tertiary health care in compliance with working groups recommendations; improving the supply with medications and spending materials from the essential list for 2008 (from 30% in January 2008, the quantity of medications in the Central MSH storage on 30.12.2008 was raised to 80%); renovation and refurbishment of KFMC and FMC and health points in Kosovo, continuation of adoption of cardio-surgery space – second stage; realization of emergency intervention in Kosovo radiology (purchase of modern equipment); medical equipment for ophthalmology; renovation of the Neurology Clinic (ongoing); budget for the medical treatment program abroad was spent up to 98,78% (during 2008, 440 patients have been treated approved with requests pending from 2003 up to 2008), budget spent in the pharmaceutical program is 98%; in total the budget of Ministry of Health was spent at 93,14%.

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11.6 Participation on the Development and Implementation of Public Information Campaign and other Promotional Projects with an Aim of Increasing the Level of Public Awareness and Compliance with Health Standards

ƒ

The marking of the day of fight against TBC

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Supporting the Balkan Initiative against Breast Cancer (BIBC)

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The marking of the World Day against HIV/AIDS

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Support for the Association of Persons with Disabilities

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Support to the Congress of Oncologists

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Support to the Pharmaceutical Week

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Support to the Conference of Cardiologists

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Support to the Conference on the Implant of First Defibrillator in Kosovo

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Support to the Congress of Dentists

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Support to the Congress of Urologists

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The marking of the World Health Day

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The marking of the World Diabetes Day

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The marking of International Day against Tobacco

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The marking of the International Day of Heart

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Promotion of the Action Plan on Prevention and Management of Avian Influenza

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Promotion of Project with UNICEF “Vaccination of Children in Kosovo”

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Promotion of laboratory and provision of licenses for licensed medical products in Kosovo

11.7 Support to the Development of Health Education with an Aim of Increasing Knowledge in Health Sector Closure of open competition for Specialist Post-Graduate Education and signing of contracts with new specialists; support to Continuous Professional Education through participation in seminars, trainings, congresses for health professionals inland and abroad; support to the drafting of health educational materials, media campaigns; capacity building of human resources in techniques of working with GC, HPLC,

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procedures of water samples and food articles for the needs of regional water supplies; capacity building in the area of Accreditation and Quality Management; Finalizing the “Basic Manual for HIV/AIDS” on training of health employees in KPSH;

11.8 Evident Successes in the Health Sector Improvement of supply with essential list medication and spending materials for 2008 (from 30% in January 2008 the quantity of the Essential List Medications in the central storage of MSH on 30.12.2008 was increase to 80%); budget increase, treatment of cases pending since 2003 abroad; commencement of work of invasive cardiology and provision of spending material for 1.000 patients; renovation of Intensive Central Care has been completed; Department of Oncology in Pediatrics; realization of investments in radiology and oncology in KCUC and regional hospitals; allowances for health employees – improvement of their financial status; employment of unemployed specialists; supply with insulin, medications for multiple sclerosis, citostatics, chronically diseases; facilitations on import of medications in compliance with EU registrations (At the beginning of 2008 only 300 medications were registered whereas in construction of the building for social housing in December 2008 the number reached 1.300); web-page publication of Licenses of Private Health Institutions, Pharmacies, Pharmacists, Types of imported medications and their representatives in whole sale, working of the Laboratory on Control of Medications, issuance of authorizations for marketing of licenses medications in Kosovo; provision of permits for local food products. In public health system, regional hospitals and KCUC have been registered 27.573 newborns, around 50.000 operations and more than 1.000.000 days of hospital stays. Increase in applicants for the licensing of Private Institutions, increase of applicants for Hospital Care, treatment of medications with expired date, elimination of irregularities in equipping with medical certificates for driver licenses and their unification; finalizing the “Basic Manual against HIV/AIDS” for the training of health employees; standardization of Health Documents for KPSH, standardization of prescriptions for narcotics, increase in MSH budget through various forms of own revenues, etc.

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12. JUSTICE Ministry of Justice (MD) during 2008 managed to perform a series of activities in the development of its policies, drafting legislation at ministerial level and Government level and achieved to develop and implement the Action Plan 2008 in compliance with the MD Strategic Plan for the period 2006-2011.

In cooperation with ACDEI and MPB, a Workshop on Good Governance was organized and coordinated, which represents a dialogue between institutions of Kosovo and the European Commission in order to assess achievements/challenges in the area of Good Governance in Kosovo. In cooperation with ACDEI and ECLO, the Peer Assessment Mission was organized and coordinated in the area of Judiciary. The assessment of judiciary was conducted by 7 experts from various countries of EU, recruited by European Commission.

With regards to internal audit, final audit reports have been conducted in:

Kosovo Correctional Service (on private money of prisoners, medication expenses, food expenses); Department of Procurement (long-term contracts); Department of Administration and Human Resources (Expenditure on Fuel and Petty Cash, Planning the budget for MD); Asset management in MD

Also, for internal audit, the Strategic Plan 2009 – 2011 and Work Plan for 2009 have been drafted.

During this year, MD has compiled 10 registers on criminal evidences (Albanian and Serb) for Public Prosecutions of Kosovo and compiled the books of evidence of the work of each prosecution on daily basis. The annual report on the work of Public Prosecutions of Kosovo for 2007 and the report on the state of human resources in Public Prosecutions of Kosovo for 2007 have been drafted. The draft decision on the appointment of the

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Committee of Bar Examination has been compiled. Also the Memorandum of Understanding between MD and MEF with regards to revenues collected from candidates sitting the bar examination has been concluded. Instruction on the Program and Way of Passing Bar Examination has been drafted, comprising two parts: a) Instructions on the way of passing the bar examination drafted by MD, and b) Program on passing of bar examination, drafted by UNDP.

In the area of Forensics, 59 controls/exhumations have been conducted, out of which: ¾ 46 corps and remains were discovered, secured and transferred to the morgue for autopsy and identification; and ¾ 9 corpse, not related to the conflict, have been found

The minimal number of unidentified corps (various individuals), under the supervision of MD is 444, out of which: ¾ 400 exhumed mortal remains in Kosovo; ¾ 44 mortal remains from various individuals transferred from Serbia still remain unidentified.

During this period, we received 83 positive results of DNA analysis by the International Committee on Missing Persons (ICMP), by presenting 53 new individuals. At the same time, 57 bodies were identified and returned to their families, among them 5 nonAlbanians. Many identified mortal remains are still under the supervision of MD. During this period, the morgue received 220 bodies, out of which: ¾ 163 male; ¾ 44 women; ¾ 13 cases is impossible to determine gender.

Forensics performed 207 autopsies, whereas 13 bodies were released without autopsies as requested by prosecution and another 81 examinations were conducted for victims of physical sexual attacks. Death forensics were present at 69 crime scenes throughout Kosovo.

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With regards to development of policies and legislation, MD was engaged in initiation and drafting of the following draft laws:

¾ Laws in force (jurisdiction, special prosecution, Mediation, Execution Procedure, Disputable Procedure); ¾ Law approved by the Assembly (Notary); ¾ Law passed the first reading (Non-Disputable Procedure); ¾ Draft Laws approved by the Government (Amnesty, Forensics); ¾ 7 draft laws are under procedure

in

Government Working Groups

(Constitutional Court, Courts, Prosecutions, Judicial Council, Prosecution Council, Missing Persons and Management of Seized and Confiscated Assets).

The establishment of the Government Working Group on the Law Draft law on Autopsies is expected shortly and an Administrative Instruction on the Transfer of Prisoners to Special Premises has been approved. In the meantime, MD is actively represented into inter-ministerial working groups on draft laws, sponsor of which where other ministries and so participated in the review of: ¾ 38 draft laws; ¾ 6 Administrative Instructions; ¾ Elimination of Legal Collision, sponsored by OPM

In the scope of international legal cooperation, 3815 requests have been received and processed (such as extraditions, arrest warrants, document services etc) out of which: ¾ 1313 requests are new; ¾ 860 requests were new within cases that are already open; ¾ 1642 cases of replies to MD requests considered that the case is closed, until the time when there is a new request With regards to judicial representation, MD has represented Government of Kosovo in 232 judicial cases, including representation in open cases in the last year, whereas during this year 505 cases are open and are: ¾ 247 cases in disputable procedure;

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¾ 56 cases in non-disputable procedure; ¾ 51 cases in execution procedure; ¾ 3 cases in administrative procedure In the context of assistance and protection of victims, MD, during this year, assisted 694 cases, out of which: ¾ 555 cases of domestic violence; ¾ 23 cases of trafficking in human beings; ¾ 4 cases of child abuse; ¾ 71 cases of sexual abuse; ¾ 1 case of property issues; ¾ 4 other cases. During this year, MD initiated 96 orders for the protection of victims, among which 26 orders for emergent protection and 59 orders for initiated protection. 57 cases did not accept assistance by the protectors of victims. Up to date, there are 24 victims sheltered. In the meantime, 650 cases (are being treated), to whom MD is providing assistance in the following areas: ¾ 124 cases of victims were represented in judicial sessions; ¾ 31 cases were represented in investigation sessions in prosecution; ¾ 240 cases were provided with legal information on judicial and prosecution procedures; ¾ 59 cases were escorted to Centers for Social Affairs by assisting in the design of marital relations and enabling meetings with children as well as by assisting in the obtaining of social assistance; ¾ 22 cases of repeated domestic violence; ¾ 1 case of repeated sexual abuse; ¾ 2 repeated cases of trafficking in human beings; ¾ 11 cases are under forensics examination.

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The Interim Security Facility (ISF) provides shelter for 29 victims of trafficking, out of which: ¾ 17 local victims; ¾ 12 foreign victims.

The total number of cases (requests) for social surveys received from prosecutions and courts in the Probation Service is 1865, out of which: ¾ 1619 or 86 % of cases from Municipal Public Prosecutions; ¾ 132 or 7 % of cases from District Public Prosecutions; ¾ 114 or 6 % of cases from Courts.

Out of the total number of requests for social surveys 1831 are men (98%), whereas 34 women or (2%). The general number of measures and alternative sanctions executed by the Probation Service, during this year, is 661 (550 cases are minors, whereas 111 cases are adults) out of which: ¾ 260 cases have been concluded successfully; ¾ 401 cases are under execution.

Gender structure of these comprises 649 cases or 98% men and 12 cases or 2% women. During this year, Probation Service executed these measures and alternative sanctions: ¾ 294 cases – increased supervision by the parent and Probation Service; ¾ 209 cases – order for unpaid work ”OUW”; ¾ 32 cases – unpaid work for public good; ¾ 134 cases – diversity measures; ¾ 12 cases – with the order for compulsory rehabilitation treatment; ¾

4 cases – judicial reproach;

¾ 4 cases – conditional judgments; and ¾ 4 cases – transfer to correctional-educational centre

Probation Service Officer, with the invitation of courts and prosecutions, participated at 778 judicial sessions. Probation Service supervised 295 cases of persons released on bail

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from prison. Out of which 114 cases of release on bail has completed their supervision successfully. Therefore, during this year, Probation Service, supervised more than 2821 suspicious persons or persons that have committed various criminal crimes and there was not even a single complain by a client, family member, citizen or representative of institutions on the breach of code of conduct or discipline by probation officers.

During the reporting period, Correctional Service admitted, released and treated in correctional institutions, as follows: ¾ 4476 prisoners admitted in correctional institutions; ¾ 3954 prisoners resealed by correctional institutions; ¾ 445 prisoners were given a home leave; ¾ 81 special (humanitarian) escort for prisoners; ¾ 109 persons released on bail; ¾ 1 prisoner committed suicide; ¾ 143 complaints by prisoners were admitted and reviewed by correctional institutions ¾ 50 visits of prisoners in special allowed premises.

A significant number of prisoners in the Dubrava prison went on strike twice asking for amnesty. Strikes were managed successfully and resulted in their cessation. After the created circumstances with the declaration of independence of Kosovo, the issue of security in the Detention Centre-Mitrovica was reviewed and due to insecurity of Albanian staff to work there, all Albanian staff and prisoners from the DC Mitrovica were evacuated to other correctional institutions.

Meetings of the Transition Working Group (transfer of competencies from UNMIK Police to KCS/Unit for the Transport of Prisoners) are ongoing. The MoU on transfer of competencies from UNMIK Police to KCS (Kosovo Correctional Service) for the partial competence in the transfer of prisoners with low and medium risk as well as transfer of

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competencies in the security of the external perimeter of correctional institutions from KPS to KCS.

With regards to the advancement of the level of security, the following have been conducted:

¾ Hand over of 60 guns Glok 17, donation from Austrian Government for KCS for the KCS Transport Unit of the prisoners; ¾ Equipping with 60 weapons AK 47 of KCS staff with an aim of securing the external perimeter of KCS institutions and distribution of internal rules for the use of fire arms; ¾ Equipping with long weapons in order to ensure the external perimeter of correctional institutions;

In order to improve the level of security in correctional institutions, few internal investigation within KCS have been conducted, which: ¾ Investigated the case of prison-break of a minor from Prison in Lipjan and the investigation of doubts for smuggling that resulted with the suspension of responsible persons; ¾ There were investigations in the Prishtina Detention Centre and Department of Psychiatry (under the management of KCS) in Prishtina and the Dubrava prison; ¾ Undertook measures with regards to escape attempt of a prisoner from Detention Centre in Prishtina, resulting in the suspension of six employees from this centre; ¾ Investigations took place in DC Gjilan concerning the smuggling suspicion that resulted in the suspension and arrest of three correctional officers.

Correctional Service completed the restructuring of managing positions (reappointment of positions from Deputy Director to Heads of Pavilions) in correctional institutions with the exemption of Detention Centre in Peja and Mitrovica; also the KCS Central

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Directorate is being restructured; with regards to capacity building in the KCPSED during this year, 405 correctional officers have been trained. Significant importance was paid to renovation/construction of a number of premises throughout correctional institutions such as: ¾ In Dubrava Prison, the hospital has been renovated and built the football pitch, gas system, sewage system, sewage system in the premise before the half-open pavilion, pavilion No. 8, construction of obelisk, construction of two observation points; ¾ In Correctional Centre in Lipjan the underground pipes have been renovated, radiators replaced, the Centre on Vocational Centre “FAZAN” was opened officially as well as training for two groups commenced: three minors and three women prisoners; ¾ In Detention Centre (DC) in Prizren, storages and the roof were renovated; ¾ In DC Mitrovica, the construction of observation gate has been completed; ¾ In DC Mitrovica, the DC has been renovated and the new premise of administration inaugurated; In Prosecutions’ Administration, the recruitment procedures for few positions are ongoing. With regards to the increase in number of prosecutors, only 9 vacant positions have been filled, whereas in 2008, another 30 new prosecutors were envisaged, but until now this was not done by KJC. All prosecutions are already connected to the internet. Public prosecutions are being equipped with computers, photocopying machines, scanners, printers etc.

After March 2008, District and Municipal Prosecution of Mitrovica are not in their premises, but have been displaced to the Municipal Court of Vushtrri and are not developing normal working activities, with the exemption of few emergency cases.

SMIL project was initiated as a pilot project in the District Prosecution in Gjilan and is now at the stage of practical implementation. If this proves to be successful it will continue in other prosecutions as well.

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Capital investments for Prosecutions’ Administration for the period 2009-2011 have been identified and are already being finalized. These projects include construction of premises for few prosecutions, since there is no sufficient working space, District and Municipal Prosecutions of Prizren were transferred for finalization in 2009. Capital projects identified for Prosecutions of Kosovo to be finalized by 2011 are distributed in various regions and mainly deal with construction of premises.

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13. SECURITY AND ORDER Ministry of Internal Affairs (MPB) exercises its responsibilities on the basis of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, legislation in force, secondary legislation as well as priorities defined in the Program of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. Role and mission of MPB is building, maintenance and advancement of security of all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo in cooperation with them, supervision and ensuring the implementation of laws in protection of life, assets, freedom of movement, fighting crime and corruption, protection of public order, integrated border management, establishment of mechanisms for the protection of communities and cooperation with regional and international partners. MPB, as part of its mission, presents a modern approach, professionalism, transparency, observance of human rights and provision of equal opportunities for all citizens of Kosovo.

13.1 Progress Achieved

Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted activities envisaged for 2008, in compliance with the Government Program for 2008-2011 as well as MPB Work Plan. Ministry of Internal Affairs evaluates that there was progress during 2008 in the undertaking of reforms provided for by the work plan. Undoubtedly, during this period, MPB faced various challenges, which will be addressed in the near future.

The Ministry was actively engaged in the preparation of declaration of independence of Kosovo with an aim of maintaining peace and order throughout the territory of Kosovo. In this context and in close cooperation with all relevant security mechanisms in Kosovo, the operational plan “Status” was designed in order to undertake some preventive measures for the maintenance of order and security in Kosovo.

Further development and advancement of Police in Kosovo, on the basis of law on police, was conducted by investing in administrative capacity building and by training/specializing continuously members of the police. Also, the senior management

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staff of Kosovo Police has been appointed. With an aim of adapting to the environment created after the approval of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and the Law on Police, MPB, with the support of international partners, commenced the functional review of the organizational structure of the Kosovo Police, including the assessment of capacity building needs.

Immediately after the completion of transition stage, we commenced producing personal documents such as passports, identification documents and driving licenses, in compliance with international standards and practices. All this area of production of documents continuous to be successful and as a result ID documents and passports of the Republic of Kosovo are being recognized by most countries of the world.

We managed to keep the process transparent, to produce quality documents with a high level of security that in the not distant future will enable us to negotiate agreements for the facilitation of the visa regime with European Union to be followed by an agreement on full liberalization of visas with European Union Member States.

The process of transfer of responsibilities from UNMIK to the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, made an impact in the increased volume of work of MPB. As a result, few basic laws and strategies have been approved that relate to the security of the country. Also, in November, MPB has been mandated by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to draft the “Strategy against Trafficking in Narcotics and Organized Crime”, “Against Terrorism” as well as to review the “Strategy on Integrated Border Management”.

Regional and international cooperation was a special area of focus for MPB and many visits were conducted to counterpart institutions in the countries of the region and European Union. As a result, the signing of agreements of cooperation in areas of mutual respect were initiated with the Republic of Albania and Macedonia.

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13.2 Provision of Citizens with Documents of the Republic of Kosovo In 2008, MPB continued to implement the national project for the provision of state documents of the Republic of Kosovo: passports, ID cards and driving licenses. The project is being realized according to the envisaged plan, regardless of difficulties that implementation commenced at the period when the interest of citizens to get passports was very high.

Applications for passports of the Republic of Kosovo commenced on 21 July 2008 and until November a total of 166.637 passports of the Republic of Kosovo have been produced.

Applications for ID cards of the Republic of Kosovo commenced on 10 October 2008 and by 15 November a total of 32.076 ID cards of the Republic of Kosovo have been produced. Also, applications for driving licenses of the Republic of Kosovo commenced on 14 November 2008 and up to the end of November a total of 2.543 driving licenses of the Republic of Kosovo have been produced.

13.3 Emergency Management MPB assisted, permanently, in emergency management at municipal, regional and central level through the support of human resources and materials, drafting reaction plans and implementation of standard operation procedures in emergency situations.

Officers of EMD managed the search of persons that lost their lives in rivers of Kosovo and emergency interventions in extinguishing fires in a total of 20.830 cases.

During inspections conducted in public premises (Government, Municipal Assemblies, SHZSH, PTK, hospitals, motels and shopping centers), it was concluded that state of security is not at the appropriate level and there is a lack of protection from natural disasters, other disasters and fire protection. At the same time, it was concluded that the

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abovementioned premises lack the drafting of plans on the basis of standards, in particular evacuation plans, protection from fire, operational plans, marking evacuation paths, placement of fire extinguishers, placement of hydrants, emergency stairs etc.

Also, the state of housing premises, in particular the collective ones are not appropriate, there are no persons responsible for them. Most premises don’t have emergency stairs, there are no fire protection plans, evacuation signs, shelters, lightening, elevators don’t work, and there is a lack of hydrants. During this year, 6558 emergency interventions have been conducted out of which 5049 fires, 1282 services, 202 road accidents, 35 floods, 10 false alarms, 31 injuries and 10 dead persons.

13.4 Repatriation Process of repatriation went through three stages: admission, procession and verification stages. A total of 2789 cases have been verified on the basis of requests of states for repatriation of persons whose stay is not regulated in foreign states.

Civil Status 76 584 registrations have been conducted in the civil state registers; 677.772 certificates issued and 1250 marriages between Kosovo citizens and foreign persons.

Police Supervision

There were a total of 1781 cases, of which 719 complaints from citizens and 1062 initiations of internal investigations were received.

Kosovo Police

After the declaration of independence and approval of the Constitution, Law on Police and other laws, the Kosovo Police had additional engagements in extra duties, as well as other challenges in particular with regards to the provision of law and order,

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prevention and fighting crime, supervision and protection of state border as well as provision of services for citizens.

During this period, there were a number of protests and attacks by unsatisfied extremists with the declaration of independence and as a result two border cross points 1 and 31 got burned, the District Court in north Mitrovica was attacked and was out of function for a long period. Other border cross points have been also attacked No. 3 and 4, from which police officers suffered injuries while protecting state borders. Kosovo Police in the Mitrovica region had significant problems due to the disobedience of its officers coming from Serb community, to work on the basis of the KP commanding chain. This part was mainly under the supervision and management of international police and KFOR troops.

In the field of international police cooperation we had 484 cases, out of which 344 were concluded during this period. During this reporting period, 13.020 traffic accidents have been reported, which represents a decrease of 7.77% from last year.

According to statistical data, we present the trend of crime: ¾ Crimes against persons have decreased for 2%. ¾ Property crimes have marked an increase of 4%. ¾ Crimes against the society marked an increase of 12%. ¾ Crimes with weapons/incidents have decreased for 6%. ¾ Other crimes/incidents have decreased for 15%.

13.5 Kosovo Centre for Education, Development and Public Safety

During 2008, Kosovo Centre for Education, Development and Public Safety trained the 36th generation of Kosovo Police comprising 80 members, thus contributing to the total number of 8239 police officers that passed the appropriate training. Also 171 fire rescue

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service officers have been trained, 75 officers of Customs Service and 486 officers of Kosovo Correctional Service.

It is important to emphasize that during 2008, the responsibility for the escort of prisoners has been transferred from Kosovo Police to Kosovo Correctional Service. Therefore, as a result, Correctional Service Officers were trained professionally in the Kosovo Centre for Education, Development and Public Safety for the use of fire arms.

13.6 Completion of Legislative Framework, Laws Promulgated during 2008 Law on Personal Name, Law on Dwelling and Residence, Law on Amendment to the Law on Civil Status Registers, Law on Citizenship, Law on Police, Law on Kosovo Police Inspectorate, Law on Integrated Management and Control of State Borders, Law on Asylum, Law on Civilian Use of Explosives and Law on ID Cards.

Draft laws under procedure: Draft Law on Foreigners, Draft Law on Maintenance of Public Order and Peace, Draft Law on Arms, Draft Law on Private Security, Draft Law on Civil Status, Draft Law on Public Gatherings, Draft Law on Flammables and Gas.

Administrative Instructions approved during 2008 are: AI on Internal Organization and Structuring of Ministry of Internal Affairs; AI on Arrival and Departure Stamps of the Republic of Kosovo; AI on the Form and Content of Driving Licenses of the Republic of Kosovo; AI on Passport Application Forms; AI on Certificates and Documents of Civil Status; AI on Determination of Procedure and Method of Production, Distribution, Return and Invalidation of Passports; AI on Passports Record Management; AI on Establishing the Committee on Police Disciplinary and Senior Appointment Committee; AI on Definition of Criteria and Procedures for the Provision of Medals and Acknowledgments in Police; AI on the Form, Content and Procedure for the Provision of Diplomatic and Official Passports and Records Management; AI on the Form, Content and the Procedure of Application and Issuance of Return Travel Document (Travel Certificate); AI on Serious and Minor Disciplinary Breaches in Kosovo Police; AI on

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Content and the Form of ID Cards’ Application Forms; AI on the Form and Way of Making ID Cards; AI on ID Cards Records Management; AI on Procedures for Application for ID Cards, Lost/Damaged ID Cards, Change of Data; AI on Form, Content and Procedure of the Application Form for Diplomatic and Official Passports and Records Management; AI on Provision of Passports and Driving Licenses through the Fast-Track Procedure; AI on Procedures for the Provision of Driving Licenses of the Republic of Kosovo, Modification, Correction and its Extension; AI on Provision of Driving Licenses of the Republic of Kosovo for the First Time and Modification of Categories; AI on Procedures of Application for Passport, Lost/Damaged Passports, Modification of Data in Passports; AI on the Form, Content, Application and Issuance of Group Travel Document; AI on the Methodology of Drafting Risk Assessment and Plans for Protection and Rescue. Strategies ¾ “Strategy and Action Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings”. Under procedure: ¾ Strategy on Narcotics; ¾ Strategy against Organized Crime; ¾ Strategy against Terrorism; ¾ Amendment of the Strategy on Integrated Border Management; ¾ Strategy and Action Plan on Safety in Schools.

Memoranda of Understanding ¾ Memorandum on prevention of asocial and delinquent behavior in educational and vocational institutions of the Republic of Kosovo concluded among MPB, MASHT, MD, MPMS and KJC. Other projects and activities:

Establishment of the Police Disciplinary and Senior Appointment Committee; successful realization and finalization of the construction of two police premises in cross-border point Glloboqica and railway border cross Hani i Elezit; vehicle registration centers have

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been opened in Decan, Kamenica/Dardana, Viti and Istog/Burim; and the building for the Centre for the registration of Vehicles in Mitrovica constructed.

As part of identification of problems and issues in the area of public safety, the following analysis were conducted: safety in schools, identification of MPB properties, Kosovo Police crime pillar, resignations from KP, crime trends, relations between citizens and representatives of Kosovo Police on “Police Actions in Community towards Crime Prevention and Discovery”, analysis on gathering information from the field of internal security and public order by written and electronic media, analysis on the state of public order and protests in Kosovo during January – June 2007/2008, opinion research on the “level of safety in Kosovo”. Seven analyses have been conducted on the state of road safety in the road network of the Republic of Kosovo. Organization and implementation of three awareness-raising campaigns: “Drivers with Foreign VRN on Behavior in Roads”, “Children in Traffic” and “10 Points, the License is Gone”.

As part of the pre-accession instrument, the drafting and processing of project fiches for IPA 2009 has been completed. It is worth emphasizing that MPB has benefited 10.2 million Euro from this instrument: ¾ Functionalizing the building of Ministry of Internal Affairs; ¾ Integrated system of ballistic information for KP; ¾ Support to civil registration agency; ¾ Support to higher education for the training centre in Vushtrri;

CHALLENGES Execution of MPB Work Plan faced difficulties during 2008 at various stages, which influenced the efficiency of MPB. The main challenges are divided in three categories: ¾ The fragile security situation in particular in the northern part of the country; ¾ Malfunction of cross-border points 1 and 31 created a suitable environment for smuggling and exercise of organized crime activity; ¾ Refusal of police officers from Serb community to respect the commanding chain;

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¾ Delays in transition from UNMIK to local institutions; ¾ Replacement of identification documents

Management of state of security after the declaration of independence faced difficulties in the northern part of Kosovo. As a consequence, cross-border points 1 and 31 were burned, thus making this part of the state very convenient for organized crime and smuggling. Also, the paid suspension of Serb minority police officers causes dissatisfaction at other members of the police. Uncertainties with regards to transition from UNMIK to local institutions and EULEX made the work of MPB more difficult. These difficulties were noticed in the transfer of competencies of few units of Kosovo Police as well as issues related to the Department of Border, Asylum and Migration.

Replacement of ID documents, in particular passports, faced difficulties at the outset. Until passports were recognized by the majority of world countries, citizens faced difficulties to obtain visas and to travel to various countries.

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14. SPATIAL PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT On the basis of priorities defined in the Program and the Plan, MMPH was focused towards the completion of legal infrastructure and secondary legislation, realization of development policies and inter-institutional cooperation at central, local and international level.

With regards to legal infrastructure, 9 laws have been drafted and 11 administrative instructions, out of which 7 drafted and 4 ongoing, as follows: Law on Special Protected Zones and Amendment to Law on Spatial Planning have been approved by the Assembly of Kosovo. There are another 7 draft laws under procedure: Draft Law Biocide Products, Draft Law on Construction, Draft Law on Social Housing Programs, Draft Law on Amendments to Law on Protection of Air from Pollution, Draft Law on Protection of Nature, Draft Law on Use, Administration and Maintenance of Buildings in Co-ownership and Draft Law on Non-Ionic, Ionic Emissions and Nuclear Safety.

With regards to Administrative Instructions, the following have been drafted: Administrative Instruction on the Permitted Norms of Dangerous and Harmful Substances in Land, Administrative Instruction on Conditions for the Selection and Building of Waste Storage, Draft Administrative Instruction on Administration of Waste Tires, Draft Administrative Instruction on Protection from the Noise Caused by Road Traffic, Draft Administrative Instruction on Licenses on Administration of Waste, Draft Administrative Instruction on Inspection of Emission of Organic Components during Transfer, Load and Unload of Fuels and Draft Administrative Instruction on Experts, Imports and Transit of Waste; whereas the following are being drafted: Draft Administrative Instruction on Removal of Waste from Public Spaces, Draft Administrative Instruction on Specification of Requirements for the Regulation of Noise from

Outdoor

Machineries,

Draft

Administrative

Instruction

on

Mandatory

Punishments and Draft Administrative Instruction on Substances Damaging the Ozone Layer.

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As part of realization of development policies, a number of strategies and plans have been drafted, such as: Strategy on Protection of Air Quality, Strategic Plan on Administration of Waste, Strategy and Action Plan on Biodiversity, Strategy and Action Plan on Health Promotional Schools, Action Plan on European Partnership; and on the basis of suggested priorities the drafting of the Mid-Term Plan on Protection from Emission and Nuclear Safety, initiated by Agency for European Integration, preparation of Impact Assessment Reports – Rehabilitation of Mining Wasteland on Stanterg and Novoberda/Artana, preparation of draft projects for the Donor Conference, preparation of draft concept on the establishment of Air Monitoring System, elimination of pollution in river Lepenc from waste of asbestos and extension of infrastructure for the collection of waste in rural settlement within the IPA Program for 2009.

Participation in the panel for the assessment of selection of companies for the expression of interest for Hydro-Plant in Zhur, review Impact Assessment Report for January – October 2008 – 120 IAR’s have been received with regards to requests for environmental compliance.

89 IAR’s have been reviewed, out of which 47 reports were provided with an opinion on the issuance of environment compliance, 41 did not get the opinion for the issuance of environmental compliance (out of 41 emphasized reports, 5 were refused, whereas 36 required more additional information), review of requests for permits on exports, imports and transit of waste as well as imports and exports of goods, visits to industries in the Municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo with an aim of assessing the application of measures for the protection of environment and accomplishment of obligations deriving from the environment legislation.

Review of applications for construction licenses – six requests have been received out of which one construction permission was issued, two requests were approved on the basis of existing permits, two were returned for additional information since they did not accomplish the legal requirements and one requests was not a competence of the central level but municipal one, realization of projects for the construction of Social Housing

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Building (SHB) in Municipality of Gjakova, Gjilan, Peja and Drenas. SHB in Municipality of Peja has been completed with the necessary documentation for the implementation of the project.

The main project by the EUP Project Company – Peja, has been submitted. The revision of the main project was required and the bid was advertised for the construction of SHB. SHB in Municipality of Drenas is expected to be completed with documentation in order to commence the implementation of this project, the drafting of the document on housing policies, the drafting of contracts for social housing, the drafting of commentary for the implementation of construction law, the drafting of guidelines for the organization of professional examinations, the review and definition of forms of application for construction licenses, utilization licenses and license forms.

The compilation of the first draft of the list of technical rules and laws in the area of construction is based on counterpart sectors in countries of the region, initiation and managing the process up to the proposal for the making of decision on the drafting of Spatial Plan for the National Plan of “Sharr Mountain”; 7 municipal development plans have been reviewed for compliance with Law on Spatial Planning and the draft manual on identification of informal settlements is ongoing. The concept of the draft Strategy on Regulation of informal settlements in Kosovo has been drafted and the drafting of the Guideline on involvement of community in spatial and urban planning is ongoing.

Meteorology sector, on the basis of work plan, has conducted meteorological, climatological and agro-meteorological measurements on the basis of unique terms in world scale, the Air Sector has monitored the air quality in 9 monitoring points in region in Mitrovica, 1 monitoring point in Prishtina and 5 monitoring points in Drenas; the inspection of 643 operators has been planed on protection of environment, waters, urbanization and construction, whereas 466 operators have already been inspected and 33 decision for the prohibition of activity have been issued.

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With regards to cooperation at local, central and international levels, many meetings and workshops with various subjects were organized and held: meeting with a group of geography students from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, with regards to the planning system in Kosovo; with the support of the Project on Sustainable Management of Agricultural Land, a document has been drafted: Rural Development Plan for the Municipality of Klina and with the Project on Sustainable Management of Forests (PMGroup) a study visit was organized in Ohrid with an aim of finding efficient solution for the management of national part; a visit was organized to environmental institutions in Albania and experiences were exchanged on monitoring the environment, the environmental information system and environmental reporting; UNDP, through the CBEI Project, has provided assistance to professional capacity building of KAPE; joint studies were conducted with University of Prishtina as part of the preparation of students’ dissertations.

KAPE in cooperation with MEM and GTZ organized the Conference “Protection of Environment and Energy Efficiency”, “Practices, Opportunities, Actions”. KAPE also participated at the Conference on “Monitoring the Pollution and Energy Developments in Kosovo and Albania”, held in Tirana.

Participation at the Study Visit in Bulgaria on the concept “NATURA 2000”; participation at the study visit in Halle, Germany to gain from experiences of structuring and functioning of environmental institutions in Germany, monitoring the environment, in particular protected zones and biodiversity, functioning of laboratories etc.; participation at the Conference on energy strategies “Pure Energy for Balkans”, held in Sarajevo, to gain experiences from countries of the region in the area of pure energy; participation at the international conference in Venice, Italy on liaison between economy and environment; short meetings with European Commission experts on presentation of the fourth component of support from TAIEX.

Participation in the implementation of the Project – “Institutional Support to Municipalities for Implementation of Environmental Laws and Regulations”, together

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with EPTISA; participation in the REC Project on “Green Package”; participation at the inter-ministerial working group on the Project “Public Awareness Raising on the Marking of Environmental Holidays”; participation in the Project “Sustainable Forest Management”, implemented by the PM Group, in the Project activities as well as Steering Committee meetings; participation in the realization and supervision of Projects – “Close of Old Storages of Municipal Waste” in Gjakova, Kacanik, Prizren, Ferizaj, Lipjan and Gjilan. Preparation of the draft Project and Action Plan on rehabilitation “Assessment of the State of Industrial Part of Mitrovica and Novoberda/Artana”, in cooperation with UNDP; participation in LEAP for municipalities of Peja, Klina, Gjakova, Ferizaj and Gjilan. Participation at international Workshop held in Tirana on “Water and climate change in South Eastern Europe - Understanding Impacts”, Participation at the meeting on “Local Development Strategy; Strategies drafted for Municipalities - Shtima, Klina, Suhareka/Theranda, Gjilan and Skenderaj; participation at the Workshop organized by REC and Sharri.net, environment partnership “Practices of Cooperation between Organizations: Civil Society – Government”; work meetings with UNDP on selection of pictures of 50 schools of the region of Mitrovica for the sake of 5 June, International Environment Day; participation in the seminar organized by ALUP – Spatial Planning for Agricultural Land; participation in the workshop organized by MEM – Reforms and restructuring in the energy sector in Kosovo; accomplishment of obligations from Energy Community Treaty.

Participation in working meeting organized by NGO “Eko Trepça” for the project “Environmental Pollution with Heavy Metals – a Challenge for All”; participation at international Conference – Energy and Climate “New Priorities”, held in Varna, Bulgaria; participation at regional workshop “Strengthening of Western Balkans’ Capacities to Address Environmental Problems through Revitalization of Hot Spots”.

Participation at Workshop on Protection of Nature and the drafting of Law on Biocide Products, supported by TAIEX; participation and presentation at the Environmental

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Conference in Perth, Australia; participation and presentation at International Conference BALWOIS 2008; participation at the seminar on model development – National Parks’ Management Plan; participation in work meetings with regards to the drafting of National Park “Sharr Mountain”.

There was a presentation of the state of the environment and possibilities of environment and health risks from the impact of chemicals and dangerous waste; representation of MMPH at the local Conference on signature of the “Oslo Agreement” on prohibition and use of cassette bombs in Kosovo as well as clearance of minefields.

Participation at the Conference organized by KEPA on “Presentation of the Draft on the State of Environment in Kosovo”; participation at international Conference on “Monitoring Energy Pollution in Kosovo and Albania”, organized by Alb-Science Institute; meetings and visits at respective municipalities for old waste storages in Kacanik, Prizren, Gjakova, Ferizaj, Gjilan and Lipjan, with regards to the assessment of the level of task implementation and quality of rehabilitation of storages.

Meetings with representatives of KEK, KFOR, Feronikel, IBG Gjilan on the state of radioactive and harmful waste and contacts with seven regional hospitals of Kosovo for the project of plants for the sterilization of hospital remains.

Regular meetings with KEK on the Project of Clearing the Stored Ash, invested by World Bank; organization of meetings in municipalities for the presentation of the document “Program and Guideline to Social Housing”; a presentation was prepared and conducted at three separate workshops before 30 municipal directorates of Environment Protection on “Duties deriving from the Law on Spatial Planning during the drafting of Plans and the importance of protection of environment in this process”.

A presentation was prepared and conducted on the “Forum of Municipal Leaders on Cultural Heritage” in regions of municipalities organized by OSCE, with the presence of

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33 municipalities from Kosovo (including the newly established municipalities of Junik, Mamusha and Hani i Elezit).

15. TRADE AND INDUSTRY The Mission of the Ministry for Trade and Industry is oriented towards the implementation of Government policies and strategies for market regulation and promotion of investments, increasing the volume of exports, development of industry, construction, and tourism and hotel business. Organization and the activity of the Ministry is based on laws and secondary legislation of trade, industry, construction, hotel business and tourism, inspection, protection of consumer and intellectual property as well as on other acts regulating the establishment and activity of independent and professional agencies in the area of SME’s, promotion of investment, standardization and other relevant provisions.

15.1. Political activities of MTI Apart from engagements on daily basis, the Minister of Trade and Industry paid special attention to the representation of the Ministry at state and inter-state level. Many meetings were held which involved the advancement of the work and performance of the Ministry and more, such as: Participant and moderator of the Crans Montana Forum 15-16.05.2008 Work visit to Ministry of Economy and Labor of Austria and meeting with two Deputy Ministers Preglau and Mayer; Official visit to Ministry of Economy of Bulgaria and the meeting with the Minister Dimitrov as well as participation at the regional conference on protection of consumer, organized in Sofia (Bulgaria) from 22-24.06.2008 Participation at the joint Conference for the promotion of investments by APIK and OEA, held in Ljubljana (Slovenia) on 05.06.2008

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Welcomed for a work meeting the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Ylli Pango; (7 May 2008) Participation with the delegation of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, led by the Prime Minister for a visit to the Republic of Albania, Tirana from 18-21.06.2008 Member of the panel at the Second Investment Summit in Kosovo, organized by MTI and MEF in Prishtina, 24-25.06.2008; Special lecture on economic flow in Kosovo in the Alpbach Forum (Austria) on 27.08.2008 Official visit to Budapest (Hungary), together with the Major of Prishtina, Mr. Isa Mustafa, on possible investments to Municipality of Prishtina on 16-17.09.2008 Work visit to European Union SME’s in Brussels and meeting with the Head of the Union Mr. Rubig, 06-07.09.2008 Work visit to WTO and meeting with Mr. Willy Alfaro – Director for Foreign Relations at WTO, in Geneva as well as work meetings with many other important personalities Visit and the opening of the Wood Products Fair, Tirana, 01.10.2008 Visit and opening of the Construction Fair, Malataya (Turkey), 10-12.10.2008 Participation with the delegation of the Republic of Kosovo led by the President on the inauguration of the Acknowledgment Plate in Zurich, Switzerland 29-30.10.2008 Participation in the state delegation led by the President of the Republic of Kosovo for a visit to institutional leaders of the Republic of Albania on 03-05.11.2008 Participation in Conferences organized by KIPA on promotion of investments in London (on 08.11.2008) and Frankfurt (22.11.2009) Participation and panel member on the Conference for investments organized by the East-German Forum of Munich on 21.11.2008

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15.2. Establishment of Legal Infrastructure Ministry of Trade and Industry oriented its scope of activity to the completion of legal framework in compliance with EU Directives as well as improvement of institutional framework, on the basis of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, and the needs of adopting legal infrastructure in compliance with EU Directives.

15.2.1 Passed Laws Draft Law on Amendment to Law No. 02/L-5 on Small and Medium Enterprises; Draft Law on Accommodation Services Tax for Hotel Business and Tourism Activities; Draft Law on Amendment to Law no. 02/L43 on Accreditation; Draft Law on Amendment to Law No. 02/L-20 on Technical Requirements for Products and the Assessment of Conformity; Draft Law on Anti-Dumping Measures; Draft Law on Amendment to Law on Protection of Consumers, Draft Law on Economic Zones, Draft Law on State Reserves; Draft Law on Amendment to Law No. 2004/5 on Petroleum and Petroleum Products in Kosovo It is worth emphasizing that apart from laws envisaged within the Legislative Strategy, MTI made a request and another two draft laws were included during this year.

15.2.2. Administrative Instructions No. 2008/01 Administrative Instruction on Archive and Archive Materials; No. 2008/02 Administrative Instruction on Organization of Activity and Internal Structure of Ministry of Trade and Industry; No. 2008/03 Administrative Instruction on Procedures for the Sale of Goods through Auction; No. 2008/04 Administrative Instruction on Setting of Adaptability Tariffs for Works on Precious Metals; No. 2008/05 Administrative Instruction on Setting of Accreditation Tariffs;

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No. 2008/06 Administrative Instruction on Marks for Producers and Salesmen of Precious Metal Works; No. 2008/07 Administrative Instruction on the Form and Content of Purity Marks, the Form of Definition and Marking of the Level of Purity of Precious Metal Products; No. 2008/08 Administrative Instruction on Setting of Tariffs for Registrations and other Services performed by the Pledge Registration Office; No. 2008/09 Administrative Instruction on Organization and Functioning of the Pledge Registration Office; No. 2008/10 Administrative Instruction on Amendment of Administrative Instruction No. 2007/15 on Composition and Activity of the Accreditation Council; No. 2008/11 Administrative Instruction on Amendment to AI No. 2006/14 on Definition of Technical Rules and Conditions for the Licensing of Construction, Projection, Supervision, Technical Admission Companies as well as Construction Material Inspection Laboratories; No. 2008/12 Administrative Instruction on Technical Rules for Funicular Railway; No. 2008/13 Administrative Instruction on Amendment to AI No. 2006/16 on the Quality of Fluid Petroleum Products; No. 2008/14 Administrative Instruction on the Establishment of SME’s Consultative Council; No. 2008/15 Administrative Instruction on Setting of Registration and other Services Taxes provided by Business Registration Agency; No. 2008/16 Administrative Instruction or Representation of Industrial Property Rights; No. 2008/17 Administrative Instruction on Amendment to Administrative Instruction No. 2008/2 on Organization of the Activity and Internal Structure of MTI; No. 2008/18 Administrative Instruction on Labeling of Textile Fiber and Terms; No. 2008/19 Administrative Instruction on Definition of Form, Content and the Use of Accreditation Symbol; No. 2008/20 Administrative Instruction on Provision of Licenses to Departmental Divisions within institutions of Kosovo that perform tasks in the sphere of projection in the construction sector; At the same time, the following Administrative Instructions are being finalized;

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Administrative Instruction on Concrete and Concrete Constructions; Administrative Instruction on Quality of Fluid Petroleum Products; Administrative Instruction on Establishment of the Consumer Protection Council; Administrative Instruction on Trade Books and Registers; Administrative Instruction on Establishment of Tourism Link of Kosovo 15.3. Market Regulation • During this year, MTI organized and conducted two media campaigns to raise the awareness of consumers; • The Kosovo Competitive Committee has been inaugurated; • The Consumer Protection Council has been established; • The draft on amendment of trade policies has been drawn up; • MTI co-organized the Week of Business in Kosovo (Purchase products Made in Kosovo).

15.4 Standards’ Accomplishment ¾ The re-composition of the Council on Regulation and Observation of the Petroleum Sector has been conducted; ¾ The Committee on Assessment of Premises, Equipment and Staff of Business Entities dealing with Petroleum Trade has been established; ¾ The Council on Licensing and Categorization of Hotel Businesses has been established; ¾ The Committee on Licensing of Tourism Agencies has been established; ¾ The Consultative Council on Small and Medium Enterprises has been established;

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15.4.1. The following CEFTA subcommittees have been established; ¾ Subcommittee on Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers; ¾ Subcommittee on Agriculture; ¾ Subcommittee on Rules of Origin and Customs

15.4.2 The Work of Technical Committees ¾ Technical Committee on Electro-techniques approved 160 European Standards (EN) as Kosovo Standards (SK); ¾ Technical Committee on Petroleum Products has been enlarged to the Technical Committee on Petroleum and Gas Products and approved 82 European Standards (EN) as Kosovo Standards (SK). The same TC is expected to approve another 5 standards that were on public discussion on 27 October 2008; ¾ Committee on Construction proceeded 186 new standards; ¾ Technical Committee on Metrology approved new standards in this field. The same TC approved 23 standards of the same field; ¾ MTI/KSA accepted the Code of Good Practice (First step towards adherence to ISO).

15.4.3 Capacity Building and the Establishment of Committees and Councils as well as other Units provided for by Legal Acts: ¾ Kosovo Competitiveness Committee has been inaugurated; ¾ Council on Protection of Consumers has been established; ¾ Pledge Office has been established and is operational; ¾ The New Metrology Committee has been established; ¾ The Accreditation Council has been established;

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¾ The first inspection body has been authorized – Accreditation of the First Inspection Body “KPU Inspect”, Ltd Prishtina; ¾ Professional Standardization Council has been established; During this period, efforts were oriented to accomplishment of standards, through the implementation of legislation, the process of licensing, registration, accreditation and market supervision: ¾ Department on Trade received 299 requests for License on Trade with Petroleum and Petroleum Products. Out of them 223 requests were made by companies for renewal and 76 requests form companies that applied for the first time. From the total number of requests, 157 companies have been licensed for petroleum operation, whereas 142 cases are under review; ¾ During this period, Department of Tourism received 26 requests for Licensing of Hotel Business premises. Taking into account a large number of un-reviewed requests from the previous year, a total of 31 hotel business entities have been licensed, 15 refused and 28 are being reviewed. Another 40 requests were received for the licensing of Tourism Agencies and after the review of documentation, 22 of them have been licensed and 18 are under review; ¾ Department of Construction received 569 applications for licenses, including annex categories, change of legal or technical head etc. 207 companies have passed the License Committee with 200 licensed and 7 are still under review, whereas 59 companies got their licenses suspended because they did not comply with requirements provided for by AI No. 2006/14. ¾ In the area of registration and protection of industrial property premises (Trade Marks, Industrial Design and Patents) around 15.000 requests have been received and processed for industrial property premises. Department of Metrology conducted the calibration and verification of measuring equipment, as follows:

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¾ 25.390 electricity meters were inspected and sealed; 194 points of sales of fuel have been inspected and sealed; 2050 chronographs and taximeters have been inspected; 159 market weighers and another 33 weighers inspected and sealed; ¾ In the area of supervisory inspection, during this reporting period, there was progress in comparison to the same period in previous years; ¾ 502 inspections were conducted by MTI, in compliance with laws and secondary legislation in force. During 2008, the MTI inspectorate performed the following activities: ¾ 398 cases were executed after elimination of irregularities, which were noticed during inspection; ¾ 104 cases are under procedure (35 cases under procedure of fine collection, 19 cases forwarded to the Minor Offence Court throughout municipalities where business entities act, 50 cases were forwarded their minutes and timelines given to eliminate their irregularities); ¾ Judgments imposing fines: o

44 fines collected;

o

15 complaints were mage against the Market Inspection by business entities;

o

9 complaints have been resolved, whereas six are under procedure.

Table Presentation of Activities Sector

Market Sector

General Inspections

204

Judgments

Complaints

Made

Revenues

Acce pted

Resolved

22

22

4

3

Forwarded to Courts

Cases under Procedu re

Executed Cases

-

3

201

138

Petroleum Sector

90

Sector on Tourism and 124 Hotel Business Sector on Construction 84 Products

502

Total

34

10

7

2

1

40

50

13

11

2

2

11

47

77

10

1

2

2

7

14

70

79

44

15

9

19

104

398

15.5. Business Registration Business Registration Agency, during this period, dealt with the following cases: Registration of New Cessation

Period

01.01 to 24.11. 2008

of Modification

Businesses

Businesses

Businesses

6840

935

3798

of Total of Cases

11573

Table of Registered Businesses: Types of Individual

Partner

Business

ships

Businesses

Ltd

Ltd

Foreign

Social

Public

Agricul

Partner

Compa

Enterprises

Enterprises

tural

ships

nies

JSC

Cooper atives

General

5690

284

752

2

32

71

1

0

8

No.

139

Table of Businesses Ceased: Types

of Individual

Business

General

Businesses

852

Partne

Ltd

rships

54

20

Foreign

Social

Public

Agricultural

Partner

Compani

Enterp

Enterp

Cooperatives

ships

es

rises

rises

5

0

0

Ltd

1

JSC

3

0

Total

935

No.

Table of Modifications in Business: Types

of Individual

Business

Partners

Ltd

Businesses hips

Ltd

Foreign

Social

Partnershi

Compani

Enterp Enterpri

ural

ps

es

rises

Coopera

JSC

Public

ses

Agricult

Total

tives General

2775

169

771

0

46

35

1

0

1

No.

Installation of the new software for BRA has been completed and the efficiency of business registration has been increased significantly. With the support of the World Bank, the selection of the company to conduct the implementation of the project on Municipal Business Registration Centers is at the final stage. Also, the Pledge Registration Office has been established on 01.07.2008, within the Business Registration Agency. During this period, Administrative Instruction No. 2008/09 on Organization and Functioning of Pledge Registration Office and Administrative Instruction No. 2008/08 on Setting of Tariffs for Registration and other Services performed by Pledge Registration Office have been drafted.

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3798

Up to date, 1364 pledge registration were conducted resulting in a total income of 6915 Euro. During the reporting period, we have concluded a Memorandum of Cooperation with Raiffeissen Bank, National Trade Bank, JSC- Branch in Kosovo, Rural Credit of Kosovo, TEB, etc.

In the area of Accreditation, the administrative procedure of accreditation of a inspection body, according to Standard EN ISO/IEC 17020 has been completed and two testing laboratories on the basis of Standard EN ISO/IEC 17025 are under assessment procedure and by the end of the year we will have two assessments of testing laboratories and an inspection body, which means that by the end of the year we will have at least 3 accredited bodies for the Assessment of Conformity.

15.6. Incentives for Development of Businesses With an aim of improving physical infrastructure of SME’s and providing incentives to new enterprises, the development of existing ones and attraction of foreign investments, the program of work space has been developed, including: ¾ Industrial Zones; ¾ Business Parks; ¾ Business Incubators; and ¾ Cluster Businesses MTI has restarted the project of the Industrial Zone in Drenas, for which a feasibility study was conducted in 2006. The Industrial Zone Master Plan has been developed, in cooperation with AER, integrating the entire zone of 123 hectares, including the Business Park in Drenas.

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For 2009, we have allocated a symbolic sum for the execution of works but it is very important to involve this project in the Government agenda, which would have enormous impact for the economic development of the country. Industrial Park in Drenas, together with the Industrial Zone, represents the biggest capital project of MTI, which is a continuation of the project from last years and at present we are implementing the third stage. The Project Steering Board has already drafted operational policies for the placement of interested businesses which regulate terms, rights and responsibilities. Business Park in Mitrovica includes an area of 4.5 hectares, from which 22 businesses have benefited. Up to date in this Par, out of 22 businesses selected, 20 of them have already started constructing their premises.

This year, MTI commenced with the realization of another business incubator in the Industrial Park in Drenas. Stages of feasibility study and the main project and its revision is concluded and we are expecting the beginning of its physical construction. Initiatives on promotion of entrepreneurship for specific categories are ongoing. The Fair “Women in Business” was organized; Business Internship – this project is a pilot project including 50 beneficiary students and in the future we are expecting the extension of this project for the benefit of a larger number of students and businesses. The proclamation of the most successful enterprise for 2008 was held this year as well; this is a traditional project; Also, the SME’s Consultative Council has been established – This Council is a advisory body for the SME Agency and MTI in the area of drafting government policies for the support of SME’s in Kosovo. The Council holds at least four regular meetings during the year, but they can meet more frequent if necessary.

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As part of MTI/AMSME’s, the Voucher Scheme of advice and training for entrepreneurs is operational. From this Scheme, this year 16 existing businesses and 2 potential entrepreneurs have benefited.

15.7. Establishment of the Central Metrology Laboratory of Kosovo (CMLK) The project is at the stage of construction of premises and by the end of December the skeleton is expected to be completed. Due to the importance of the project, the Department gained a support pilot project by EAR/EC in amount of 500.000 Euro for laboratory equipment. This project also is at the final stage of implementation. ¾ Development of new metrology area – new metrology equipment has been received which will enable to protect consumers and to observe the market with regards to quantity of products but also to increase competitiveness and product exports; ¾ Establishment of metrology data base – this will have an impact to the increase of credibility in measurements in Kosovo and will facilitate the rapid membership of Kosovo into regional and international organizations for metrology; ¾ Institute of Legal Metrology of Kosovo ¾ Renovation of premises of ILMK and creation of laboratory space with EU standards in metrology that will serve to ensure preciseness in measurements throughout the territory of Kosovo, thus protect the consumer and increase the quality of products and services; ¾ Industrial capacity building and the physical infrastructure for the assessment of quality and conformity of chemical industry products; ¾ Updates with new data on foreign companies operating in Kosovo were conducted. These data were made on the basis of: countries of origin of the company, establishing capital, number of employees;

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¾ In order to facilitate and to assist the business community when applying for registration and licensing, Ministry of Trade and Industry has applied the new program for business registration; ¾ MTI web-page has been redesigned and completed, which now comprises data on the structure, scope of activity, legislation and all necessary information dealing with MTI sector. 15.8. Cooperation of MTI with local and international institutions ¾ Free Trade Agreement – CEFTA ¾ Monitoring the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement – CEFTA – throughout the territory of Kosovo has continued; ¾ The Work Program on implementation of CEFTA has been drafted; ¾ The Kosovo contact point for CEDTA has been appointed; ¾ Representatives of Kosovo have been appointed in the following: o

Subcommittee on Tariffs and Non-Tariffs barriers;

o

Subcommittee on the Rules of Origin and Customs;

o

Subcommittee on Agriculture

15.8.1 Membership into the American Tourism Society MTI applied and Kosovo became a member of ATS. Membership of Kosovo in this association orients the tourism industry of USA to extend their destination in the Republic of Kosovo as well. ¾ Signature of Agreement of Cooperation between the General Accreditation Directorate of the Republic of Albania and the Accreditation Unit of the Republic of Kosovo;

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¾ KSA, through DPS, attended the 31st General Assembly of ISO in Dubai, as an observer; ¾ European Charter on Small Enterprises – represents the basic document of European Commission policies for Member States and for countries under the Stabilization Association Process, member of which is the Republic of Kosovo as well. During this period: ¾ Participation at regional meetings of national coordinators; ¾ Gathering of national data from actors involved in the Charter and the finalization of the draft which was forwarded to European Commission; ¾ The bilateral meeting between Kosovo and DG on Small Enterprises of European Commission – Prishtina; ¾ International Tourism Forum in Decan (5-6 September 2008) was held; ¾ Traditional fair “Prishtina 2008” for the support of industrial producing enterprises (3-6 June 2008) was organized; ¾ The international conference for construction products was held (23 September 2008) ¾ Conference on Industry was held (4 December 2008) ¾ Cooperation with Customs Service of Kosovo and business associations of Kosovo 15.8.2. European Partnership Action Plan (EPAP) With regards to EPAP, Ministry of Trade and Industry identified respective duties for the implementation of which this Ministry and up to date managed, and continued, to complete the largest part in the following areas: ¾ Report before European Commission in Brussels for the achievements of Kosovo in the area of Internal Market and the report was valued by the Commission;

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¾ Completion of legal infrastructure (drafting of laws, secondary legislation and their implementation); ¾ Development of human capacities – regular submission of quarterly reports; ¾ First meeting of the Working Group “Internal Market” was held; ¾ 9 draft projects for IPA programs have been designed;

15.8.3. Publications Reports on “Kosovo Trade Exchanges” for 2007 and the Report for 2008 is being finalized; 4 promotional leaflets for the Standardization Unit and the Accreditation Unit as well as 4 promotional books with standards through the MSTQ Project have been prepared; “Leaflet” was published and distributed, representing an overview of information for the purpose of protection of consumers; The media campaign on “Consumer Protection” has been completed; Tourism prospect “Kosova” has been prepared, published and distributed; Tourism map of Kosovo has been prepared and published; Preparation and publication of the “Prospect for the tourism region of Albanian Alps”; Preparation and publication of “Identification of tourism products for projects of the region of Albanian Alps”; Technical regulation on machinery and security components; Technical regulation on electric equipment designed for use in certain limits of pressure; Brochure “Marking of Construction Products with CE mark”, explaining the marking of construction products with CE mark and products produced in Kosovo with KK mark; Preparation and broadcast of documentary “Kosova a friendly place for business”;

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Modification and multiplication of the promotional DVD with opportunities of Kosovo for investments (prepared in three languages English, German and Italian); Preparation and conclusion of 2 sectorial studies (metal processing industry and wood processing industry) and other 5 unpublished; Publication of the brochure “Investing in Kosovo 2008”; Publication of the brochure “Fact sheet”; Publication of the brochure “Top 10 reason to invest in Kosovo”; Release of the CD “Investing in Kosovo”; Publication of sectorial study “Processing of Diary products”; 15.8.4. Activities for the Building of a Positive Image of Kosovo Participation at the Second Summit organized for Business and Investment, Prishtina, The European Finance Convention from London; Organization of two workshops, in cooperation with French KFOR and Chamber of Commerce of Nant; Organization of workshop for the sector of metal processors Organization of workshop for the sector of wood processing industry; Participation in Fair “Nature 2008”, which aimed at promoting the wood sector in Kosovo; Cooperation with the Swedish Embassy and co-organization of the conference with Swedish investors; Cooperation with the Austrian Embassy and co-organization of the conference with investors from Austria 15.8.5. Activities for the generation of investments and employment – measures undertaken

147

Visit of foreign companies to Kosovo, organized by KIPA; Identification of the most attractive sectors for foreign investors; Sectors already invested at: communications, banks and insurances, agro-business, construction material, archive, metal processing etc. During 2008, KIPA staff was at the service of investors by providing information, finding locations for investments, organizing contacts with governmental institutions and municipalities.

15.9. Other activities Work on the monitoring of statistical overview of SME’s has continued. ¾ Survey with 600 SME’s was realized in the ground and the analysis was prepared; ¾ Observatory of SME’s – the draft finalized; ¾ Monitoring the labor market organized by MPMS and KOSVET III; ¾ Development and processing of the Strategy on the Development of Private Sector for Kosovo – managed by EAR; Usage (distribution) of Kosovo Standards (KS) for the MSTQ project in the following areas: ¾ Low Voltage Directive - Electrical room heaters; and ¾ Construction Products Directive-Expanded polystyrene thermal insulation products. ¾ Preparation of lists for ISO standards; ¾ Preparation of around 150 standards in various areas for sale, depending on the request of interested parties;

148

¾ Organization of two workshops for wood and metal processing with an aim of raising the awareness of the business community to be more competitive in the internal and external market; ¾ Preparation of terms of references for the Construction Products’ Institute – the project is ongoing; ¾ City Navigator (information kiosk) – this project is at the final stage and it is planned to establish 12 information kiosk throughout Kosovo.

15.9.1. As part of internal supervision, the following activities of the Internal Audit Unit (IAU) have been conducted ¾ Procurement management – the final report is finalized; ¾ Management – licenses on the accomplishment of technical criteria for storages of general importers and entities dealing with trade of fuels with retail and wholesale – Department of Trade – the draft report is completed; ¾ Preparation of Annual Plan for 2008 – approved by senior management; ¾ Preparation of Strategic Plan for period 2009-2011 - approved by senior management; ¾ Preparation and approved of the Plan for 2008; ¾ Procurement training

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16. TRANSPORT AND TELECOMMUNICATION The Ministry of Transport and Telecommunication has achieved results and has marked advancement in all of its fields of responsibility, in fulfilling the overwhelming majority of its annual objectives; in full harmony with its strategic goals. The effects of this work have mostly influenced the socio-economic segment of the lives of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo.

16.1 Road Infrastructure With the investments made in building, rehabilitation and maintenance, the road infrastructure network has developed distinctly. Within this year, 161 projects have been achieved including around 600 kilometers of road. The general budget of the MTPT for the year 2008 was 139 394 085 €, of which 126 267 552 € was destined for capital investment. From this sum, 126 849 978 € or 91% were spent in 8 months, of which 114 283 807 € or 91% were capital expenditures. In light of the fact that 9 856 421 € destined for capital expenditures was carried over from the 2007 budget, the resulting percentage of the financial realization of the capital expenditures for 2008 comes to 98,2%. It must be stressed that in the same reporting period for the year 2007, only 11 933 925 € was spent for capital expenditures, which denote 900% less in spending when compared to these 8 months. Meanwhile, in the past three years, or 36 months of work, 47 243 652 € was spent in capital investment which represents only 40% of the funds spent in these 8 months. 114 projects were achieved that represent only 70% of the projects for these 8 months. Always keeping in minding the fact that these projects began in the middle of the month of April, within these 8 months; we have transformed our country into a working yard, one that is characterized by improvements in quality, dynamics, and effectiveness.

74 335 138 € or 58.8% of the total sum of capital investments are destined for the building and rehabilitation of highways and regional roads. 69 371 418 € or 93% have been spent. 34 projects have been achieved. 213 kilometers of road have been paved.

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42 793 013 € or 33.8% of the total sum of capital investments were destined for local roads. 37 609 447 € or 88% were spent. 127 projects have been achieved. 375 kilometers of road have been paved. The key factors that influenced the decision to invest in the municipalities were: the large number of unpaved roads (from 6571 km of road, only 1071 were paved); the direct link between poverty and the deficiency of road infrastructure; the aversion of the migration of the people; the revitalization of family economies, small and medium size enterprises; an increase in employment, etc.

7.9% of the total sum of capital investments was destined for the bridge maintenance program, for the horizontal and vertical signaling program, and for the elimination of caution (black) points. There are 12 projects for the reparation and building of bridges with a value of 14 700 000 €. Within the framework of this program, a project, with the value of 14 700 000 €, was contracted for the building of the circle at the Bus Station in Prishtina. 6 projects were completed and 13 other projects were drafted for the building of underpasses and sidewalks. 1 850 km of horizontal lines, 5 300 vertical signs, 18 240 guides and 5 000 m of elastic paling were put in place; and traffic lights were installed at 4 crossings in the Prishtina – Fushe Kosova segment of the M9 highway.

As for the summer and winter maintenance of roads in the year 2008, 18 technical specifications were prepared. For summer maintenance, 8 contracts were made, with a value of 2 331 311 €. For winter maintenance, 10 contracts were made, with a value of 3 589 766 €. A segment of the activities was also the completion of unfinished projects from the year 2007, which had a value of 9 300 000 €.

Apart from these activities in the field of road infrastructure; cooperation continued with international institutions, such as with the South East Europe Transport Observatory (SEETO), the European Agency for Reconstruction (AER), KFOR, international banks, etc.

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16.2 Road, air, and railway transport In the passenger inter-urban sector, during the year 2008, it was verified that around 70 000 km of daily bus traffic exists. 13 licenses for passenger transport were granted, while 44 requests are still in process. Another 37 new lines have been allocated for the summer season.

Meanwhile, in the passenger international transportation sector, the exchange of licenses and the development of transportation has taken place with Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, and Turkey. For regular transportation outside of Kosovo, 75 licenses were granted for 34 operators; for access in Kosovo, 26 licenses were granted for 13 operators; for transit transportation through Kosovo, 4 licenses were granted for 3 operators; whereas for free passenger transportation outside of Kosovo, 42 licenses were granted.

With regard to humanitarian transportation, in 2008, 25 accounts were openly tendered (20 were tendered in 2007), encompassing 14 lots (in 2007 there were 9 lots) and 8 operators have been declared winners (in 2007 there were 2 operators). The project had a financial value of 55 000 € per month (in 2007, the value was 78 000 € per month) This leads to the conclusion that with all of the growth in the number of accounts, thanks to the good management of the project by MTPT there was a distribution growth of this transportation and reduction of subsidies. The new accounts compared to the previous years were lots no. 9 (Qaber – Mitrovica), no. 10 (Korazhdec – Mitrovica), no. 11 (Shterpca – Brezovica – Prizren), no.12 (Novoberda/Artana – Prishtina) and no. 14 (Leposaviq – Mitrovica).

For the transportation of goods and hazardous goods, during the year 2008, based on the applications submitted, 60 licenses were granted for personal needs, 20 licenses for rent, and 12 licenses for the transport of hazardous goods. During the year 2008, candidates to be conductors of vehicles which transport hazardous goods were tested, and 162 were granted certificates from the ADR.

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Due to the activities developed in the passenger, goods, and hazardous goods transportation sectors; during this year, an income of 248 517 € was accumulated. With regard to air and railway transportation, during 2008, there has been work done towards achieving the activities deriving from the objectives for the implementation of the Law on Civil Aviation, towards improving the infrastructure and increasing the capacities of the International Airport of Prishtina, towards implementing the Law on the Kosovo Railways, towards improving the infrastructure and increasing the capacities of the Kosovo Railways, and towards establishing and developing the Office for Maritime Transport.

Within the framework of these objectives, so far, the General Director of the Kosovo Civil Aviation Authority has been nominated, the organization scheme has been defined for this authority, the responsibilities and duties of each sector have been determined, and soon, the nominations to be approved for the members of the Board will be proposed to the Government; the organization scheme has been defined and the responsibilities and duties have been determined for each sector, within the framework of the establishment and development of the independent Aeronautical Accident and Incident Investigations Commission; the organization scheme has been defined and the responsibilities and duties have been determined for each sector, within the framework of the establishment and development of the Office for Civil Aviation Security in cooperation with the MPB; the legal framework has been completed and has been harmonized with that of the EU; so that all of the transposable instruments in the first phase of the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) and several provisions of the second phase of this agreement, were signed and have went into force on November 20th 2008. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Republic of Kosovo has taken on the responsibility for the certification and supervision of the security of the International Airport of Prishtina.

As it is known, with the Law on the Railways of the Republic of Kosovo, the establishment of the Regulative Authority for the Railways and other regulative organs for the railways was foreseen. The budget has also now been formulated for the

153

establishment of the ARH for the year 2009 and the establishment of the ARH will be worked on up until June of 2009. We are currently finalizing the list of candidates with names of the members of the ARH Board of Governors, which are to be proposed to the Government of Kosovo, and afterwards to the Parliament for nomination.

Since there was not sufficient investment in the railway infrastructure sector in the years past, the orientations of the MTPT for the near future are to direct the creation of dependable policies and strategies which will aid the development of this sector. This can only occur with an increase in investment, in also utilizing potential investment funds from the European Community.

16.3 The safeguarding and educating of participants in traffic The implementation of the Law on Road Traffic Safety is continuing, which has resulted in a decrease of total accidents by 7.8% and in fatal accidents by 12.7%.

As it relates to the field of theoretically and practically educating vehicle operators in traffic, exams were organized for drivers, there was licensing and re-licensing of driving schools and driving instructors, and there was licensing and re-licensing of automobile technical inspection centers, etc.

Within the framework of regional units for drivers licenses, during 2008, 53 041 candidates took driver exams of the categories B, A, C1, C, D and CE, from which 21 737 candidates successfully completed these exams. During this time, licenses were renewed for 314 driving instructors, 10 were licensed, and 37 driving schools were re-licensed.

In the 40th Congress of the Commission Internationale des Examens de Conduite Automobile (CIECA), held in May 2008 in Zagreb Croatia; Kosovo was accepted as a regular member of this international association which includes 38 member countries.

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16.4 Post and Telecommunication In this field, in the process of the securing of a state telephone code and for attaining the membership of Kosovo in relevant international organizations, such as ITU, UPU, PostEurope, etc.; the procedures and regulations to achieve membership, as soon as possible, in this organizations have been analyzed; however, these goals are yet to be achieved due to objective procedural obstacles.

In the field of readying projects for the upcoming period; the draft proposal for the project “The Address System through GIS”, the draft proposal for the project “The Integrated National Geographic Information System” and the draft proposal for the project “Integrated Information System for Automobile Technical Inspection Centers, Insurance Companies and Automobile Registration Centers” have been prepared. Three other projects: “The Integrated Information System for Traffic Security in Kosovo,” “The Integration of Geographic Statistics of the Kosovo Municipalities,” and “The ECDL Certification Program of Public Administration;” were prepared and presented, in several rounds, before the Liaison Office of the European Commission in Kosovo and the Agency for European Integration.

With regard to the activities of the postal sector, we must mention the composing and selecting of eight releases for the postal stamps of the year 2009, the extraordinary releases of postal stamps with the themes “Independence” (on the occasion of the declaration of independence, which were put into circulation on March 19th 2008), “Breast Cancer” (on the occasion of the Day for Fighting Breast Cancer, on October 15th 2008) and “National Hero – Adem Jashari” (on the occasion of the 53rd year anniversary of the birth of Commander Adem Jashari, on November 28th, 2008). Within this framework, the selection of the envelope of the first day (ZDP), as well as of the postal stamp releases with the most beautiful postal stamp designs for the 2009 annual program were made with the themes “Anniversary of Independence,” “Edith Durham,” and “Manastir of Decan.”

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16.5 Legal Framework Within the framework of completing the legal infrastructure; many laws, administrative instructions, and regulations were drafted; which regulate fields and issues that pertain to the competencies of the MTPT. The following laws were drafted: the Law on Civil Aviation, the Law on the Railways of the Republic of Kosovo, the Law for the Amendment of the Law on Telecommunication; and approved by the Parliament of Kosovo, as well was the Draft Law for the Prevention and Fighting Against Cyber Crime.

Besides these, the following documents were drafted: The Courtesy Code for Bus Drivers and other Personnel, the Administrative Instruction (AI) for the supervision, technical acceptance and technical control of the finished work on road infrastructure, the AI for the Definition of Criteria, Regulations, and Procedures for the Installing of Advertisements on Highways and Regional Roads, the AI for the Exam Organization and Licensing of Professional Driving School Teachers, the AI for the Amendment and Supplementation of the AI on the Licensing of Road Transportation Operators, the AI for the Licensing of Driving Schools, the AI for the Probate of the Vehicles, the AI for Passing the Drivers Exam, the AI for the Plan Program for Educating Driver Candidates, the AI for the Licensing and Verification of the Driving Instructor’s Professional Knowledge, and the AI for the Establishment of the Security Council on Road Traffic Safety.

The following six regulations were also drafted: The Regulation on the Access of the HPEA Air Transporters among HPEA routes, the Regulation on the Norms and Tariffs of Air Services, the Regulation on the Security Criteria for Air Transportation and Airplane Operators, the Regulation on the Creation of General Regulations for the Compensation and Assistance of Passengers in Case of Cancelled Flight Departures or Long Flight Delays, the Regulation on the Air Transporter’s Responsibility Regarding the Transporting by Air of Passengers and their Luggage, and the Regulation on the Joint Rules for allocation of slots in existing Kosovo airports.

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17. CULTURE, YOUTH, SPORTS Based on Government AI no.13/2007, the Ministry has been able to reorganize and elevate the legal office in the Legal Department, whereas in collaboration with the cultural institutions, has completed the necessary legal infrastructure for its functioning. The Law on the “Shota” Song and Dance Ensemble was approved; the following legal acts are in a new procedure of drafting: The Draft Law for the Empowering and Involvement of the Youth and the Draft Law for Sponsoring; 7 sub-legal acts from the Law on Cultural Heritage were signed which are Regulation No. 01/2008 On the Procedures for Archaeological Excavation / Research, Regulation No. 02/2008 On Public Access to Cultural Heritage in private property, Regulation No. 03/2008 On the Preservation and Restoration Activities of Cultural Heritage, Regulation No. 04/2008 On the Inspection Authorizations and Competencies for Cultural Heritage, Regulation No. 05/2008 On the Registration, Documentation, Evaluation and Selection of the Cultural Heritage to be Protected, Regulation No. 06/2008 On the Security Measures for Movable Heritage, Regulation No. 07/2008 On the Procedures for the Licensing of Traders of Movable Heritage Objects.

Artistic and Professional Councils for the central institutions were established such as: The National Theater of Kosovo, the Philharmonic and Opera of Kosovo, the “Shota” Song and Dance Ensemble, the Council of Books was established, the Work Regulation for the National Council of Libraries was drafted and signed and the Draft Regulation for the Licensing of Publishers in Kosovo was drafted.

17.1 Support for the Cultural Institutions The Ministry was engaged in the support of the fundamental activities of the institutions as well as for the activities in the sphere of creation, encouraging and increasing human capacities. The cultural institutions, of which 9 at the central level and 21 at the municipal level have successfully fulfilled their programs in accordance with the program policies which were approved in the beginning of 2008.

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The National Theater of Kosovo has achieved 5 premier shows and 35 repeated features. One of the main activities of the National Theater was the Competition for the National Drama, Katarina Josipi 2008.

17.2 Philharmonic The Opera of Kosovo achieved 18 concerts in all, of which 10 were artistic concerts, 2 were memorial concerts, one on the occasion of the ten year anniversary of the fall of Legendary Commander Adem Jashari, this last concert is one which was achieved within the framework of the manifestation “The Commemorative Celebration of the KLA,” the memorial concert marking the 7 year anniversary of the tragic events in the USA, the solemn concert honoring the Declaration of the Independence of Kosovo and the concert where, for the first time, the Anthem of the Republic of Kosovo was intoned after the entering into force of the Constitution and other concerts within the framework of the annual program; all of these were financed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and several were also financed in cooperation with the Presidency of Kosovo, the US Embassy in Prishtina and Raiffesisen Bank – Prishtina.

The Ballet Ensemble achieved two premier shows and 6 repeated features; The Professional Theatre of Gjakova manifested 2 premiers and several repeated features in other cities of Kosovo and abroad where their partaking in Ulcinj Summer Stage 2008 and their presentation in Tirana with the artistic theatrical project are signified. The Professional Theatre of Gjilan achieved 2 premiers, as well; their partaking in the Traditional Theatre Festivals in Debar and Ulcinj, furthermore the theatre once again successfully achieved the festival “Flaka e Janarit 2008.” The Theatre of Prizren achieved 2 premiers and several other repeated features throughout this year.

Another activity which was welcomed by the public was Theatre Friday, where every Friday, before the Prizren public, a repeated feature is presented. The Professional Theatre of Peja achieved 3 premiers and several repeated features.

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The Art Gallery of Kosovo, throughout this year, achieved 8 personal exhibitions, 5 collective exhibitions, and the presently more traditional: The Artists of Tomorrow, the Gjon Mili International Exhibition of Artistic Photography, the Ceramics Workshop, the Scanderbeg Exhibition, November’s Salon, the Philatelic Exhibition and the International Exhibition, “The Muslim Mulliqi Prize” – 2008.

In the gallery of the Qafa Ministry, 13 exhibitions were achieved, these being individual and collective exhibitions of national and international artists.

The National “Shota” Song and Dance Ensemble achieved 2 premier concerts. The Ensemble also had presentations in Macedonia, and two joint concerts with the State Ensemble of Albania, in Kosovo and in Tirana.

Throughout this year, the Ministry was also engaged in the support of projects which were a part of the planned program policies for the year 2008. There was support given for several projects, engagement towards the progress of cultural activities, the multicultural activities of Kosovo, and the increase in the book fund in the intermunicipal libraries due to the achievements of various collaborations.

The implementation of the Law on Publishing Activities and Books noticeably improved the conditions for publishers and readers, including here as well, the attitude for books, and the promotion within Kosovo and abroad. Through a public contest, the council approved the support for two cultural magazines; furthermore the council approved 37 titles from 64 competitors. Many literary meetings were supported.

17.3 The Internationalization and Infrastructure of Sports

Several engagements were achieved for the internationalization of sports and simultaneously there was an accommodation to the new circumstances in terms of the international rapport and a wide range of conditions and opportunities were secured for Kosovo’s athletes. There was a coronation of institutional relationships with Federations,

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Clubs, Olympic Committees, and other structures through the approval of the Law on Sports and all of the federations which fulfilled the criteria for licensing based on sublegal acts were licensed and re-licensed. There was progress in the process for the acceptance of Kosovar federations in international associations, whereas the sports federations were continually supported in all of their achieved activities at the national and international level.

There was engagement for the integration of minorities in sports activities, through the support of sports clubs in their path towards licensing their activities as well as in including minorities in the structural organizations of sports activities.

Sports infrastructure has been visibly improved by the implementation of the decided capital

projects.

The

achieved

projects

are:

The

building

of

the

gym

in

Podujeva/Besiana, the renovation of the wardrobe in Ferizaj, Peja, and Gjilan, the installment of new wooden floors in the auditorium of warring sports, the installment of a digital traffic light, as well as the installment of the volleyball construction and handball goals within the framework of the Palace of Sports and Youth in Prishtina.

There was also renovation of the sports gyms in Mitrovica, Peja, Ferizaj, Gjilan, Prizren, Gjakova, Suhareka/Theranda, Vushtrri, and Lipjan. The first building phases were also achieved in Drenas, Istog/Burim, and Rahovec. The project for the renovation of the athletic tracks in the Olympic Stadium of Mitrovica was also achieved.

Sports infrastructure benefited from financial support which came from the budgetary review process and as a result, projects were prepared for 4 new gyms in Malisheva, Obliq, Shtima, and Skenderaj.

The most important sports achievements during the year 2008 were: the Admittance in the International Weightlifting Federation, the Admittance of the Wrestling Federation (with restricted rights) in the Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées (FILA), the Organization of the half-marathon in Track and Field, the Participation of the Ping Pong

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Federation at the World Championship in China, the Participation of the Ping Pong Federation at the European Championship in Russia, and the Participation of the KickBoxing Federation at the World Championship in Berlin, Germany where the championship competitors of Kosovo won 8 medals in total, from which, 3 were gold medals. Other achievements include the visit of the FIBA-world and FIBA-Europe delegations to the Basketball Federation of Kosovo in general, the Participation of the Judo Federation at the “Festival for Peace,” in Israel; besides the success of two representatives from Kosovo with two bronze medals at the Festival, the Kosovar delegation also had a meeting with the President of the European Judo Union.

17.4 Cultural Heritage

In analyzing cultural heritage in its entirety, and specifically in the aspects of sustainable social and economical development, relevant institutions have accomplished many objectives. The central foundation for the managing of statistics related to architectural and archaeological entireties has been established; the presentation of the values of cultural heritage and increasing people’s awareness has continued throughout the entire year. The obligations that derive from the Ahtisaari Plan have been accomplished, with respect to the Law on Special Protection Zones, several documentary films were achieved as a part of the program for making the people aware of the values and significance of the cultural heritage of Kosovo and the treatment it deserves.

The traditional activity “European Cultural Heritage Days 2008” was achieved in cooperation with the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the International Civilian Office and the Network of Institutions for the Safeguarding of Cultural Monuments. Furthermore, assistance was provided to the Implementing Commission for Reconstruction, with respect to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of complexesbuildings of the Serbian Orthodox religion. Based on the dynamic plan, restoration – conservation proceedings were completed in all of the complexes-buildings which were designated in the beginning of the year and are as follows: the Conservation and Restoration of the Jashar Pasha Konak in Peja, the

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Cleaning of the Zallqi Bridge in Istog/Burim, the Reconstruction of the Sahit Kulla in Gjakova, the Restoration of the Archeological Museum in Prizren, the Conservation and Restoration of the Harilaq Castle, the Conservation and Restoration of Pogragja Castle, the Conservation and Restoration of the Nivokaz Kulla, the Conservation and Restoration of the Llukavcit Kulla, the Conservation and Restoration of the Tahir Meha Kulla in Prekaz, the Restoration of the Pozhorani School, the Reconstruction of the Sahit Kulla in Gjilan, the Interior of the Ali Geci Kulla in Lower Lluka, and the detailed projects were completed for the Novoberda/Artana Castle and the Mazhiq Mosque.

The implementation of the capital project, simultaneously a constituent part of the Government Program, “Kosovo through the centuries”, and 4 other subprograms was successfully implemented by the Museum of Kosovo. Constituent parts of this project were the Isa Boletini Kulla Complex, the Albanian League of Prizren Complex, the Archaeological Museum of Prizren, as well as the Thematic Exhibition organization on the occasion of the marking the 100 Year Anniversary of the Congress of Manastir.

17.5 Youth In order to fulfill the obligations that derive from this mission, 7 program policies were carried out: The Networking and Public Information for the Youth Sector, Youth Promotion and the Empowering of Youth NGO’s, Policies for the Youth, Informal Education, the Participation and Integration of the Youth, Health Education and Prevention, and the Self-employment of the Youth. On the basis of these policies, significant activities were developed which influenced the empowering and the development of the corresponding sectors.

Besides the developing of activities which have the goal of implementing the objectives of the youth policies, the documents which have a special significance for the future of the youth sector were reviewed, these documents include: The Draft Kosovo Action Plan for Youth and the Draft Law for Empowering and Participation, the Development of

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Local Strategies for the Youth Sector, the Empowering of the Advice of the Youth Representation, support for youth initiatives, and support for Youth Centers.

Featured from the main activities: The Review of Policies and the 2007-2010 Action Plan for the Youth, the Development of Policies and Action Plans at the Local Level and the Formation of Local Youth Action Advice, the Development of Action Plans at the Local Level, and the Formation of Local Youth Action Advice. 18 Municipalities were supported for the development of Policies and Action Plans for the Youth.

The Development of the Project with the World Bank for the improvement of the performance and sustainability of the existing youth centers; the establishment of two resource centers for students; the development of businesses for young entrepreneurs as well as the empowering of the capacities of implementation for the Youth Department, these projects are three years long and can be lengthened. Within the framework of the SEP and SIP projects – Seasonal Employment, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MKRS) in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MPMS) and with the Federal German Work Agency “Deutsche Bundesagentur für Arbeit” (BA/ZAV) have prepared a program through which they offer seasonal work opportunities in Germany for 180-220 Kosovar students. For the seventh time, the most comprehensive Youth activity was organized, Youth Month 2008. Youth Month 2008 extends for 30 days. This year, this activity was developed with the motto, “Our Destination – the EU,” which had as its goal, making the youth aware of the path of Kosovar youth to the EU. Besides these activities, during Youth Month, sports, cultural and educational activities were also organized. In the calendar of important events and under the patronage of the MKRS, August 12th was marked and declared as the International Day of Youth based on the United Nations Resolution No. 15/120 dated December 17th, 2009, the capital city, Prishtina, was the host for this event.

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A range of activities were supported that had as an objective, convergence and acquainting the youth with one another, the integration of the youth of rural areas and the youth of the minorities. Three public announcements were made for draft proposals, where 212 projects were submitted in total, 58 projects were supported, within those supported; nine (9) projects had a multi-ethnic character. There was the Promotion of the European Agenda, the “Culture 2013” Platform. The “Culture 2013” Platform project was initiated whose goal is increasing the capacities for participation in European programs for culture, and it is led by ODA Theatre, ATTA Academic Training and the Different Civil Emancipation (“EC Ma Ndryshe”) NGO. A report was compiled on the cultural areas in Kosovo and a report was compiled on cultural consumption and the results of this research were presented to the public. An agreement was reached between the MKRS and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on the implementation of the “Public Awareness and the Prevention of Trafficking in Kosovo” project. Through this project, nine (9) workshops were organized on the trafficking phenomena in Kosovo, for prevention measures, where 540 youths benefited in increasing their knowledge on the subject. 8 Agreements / Memoranda were signed with different actors in the culture, youth and sports fields. The following are being implemented in continuance: The Cooperation Agreement with Turkey, respectively the implementation has begun of projects for the restoration and conservation of 2 cultural buildings/monuments: The Fatih Mosque in Prishtina and the Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren, the financing is being done directly from Turkey, The Memorandum between the MKRS and the Council of Europe for the South Eastern European Program: The rehabilitation, safeguarding, and promotion of cultural heritage; The agreement between the MKRS and the World Bank for the youth program: The Youth Development in Kosovo; The Agreement with the German organization, GTZ, for the youth program: The Empowering and Development of the Youth in Kosovo.

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18. AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development organized its activities based on the 2008 Work Plan according to the priorities which are based on the Work Program and the Priorities of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo for 2008-2011, the Action Plan for implementation of European Partnership (PVPE) and the sources of finance such as the BKK and/or other donations related to the financing of future projects.

The main MPPZHR activities for the year 2008 were concentrated on: Drafting favorable agricultural policies for the development of the agricultural sector and for urban development; The Composing of Draft Laws and Administrative Instructions; Protecting agricultural land; the Implementation of the 2007-2013 Plan for Rural and Agricultural Development; the realization of the Action Plan for implementation of European Partnership; Food, Public Health and Veterinary Safety; Analyzing the samples of production originating from plants and livestock such as through inspection and examination; protecting forests.

18.1 Developmental Policies

“The 2007-2013 (2009-2013) Plan for Rural and Agricultural Development” was predicted to be postponed in light of the circumstances created and the changes within the time period, so it was postponed to the “2009-2013 Plan for Rural and Agricultural Development.” The dynamics of the change in circumstances dictated changes in the document.

The CEFTA Free Trade Agreement Throughout this time period, there was also work done on the issues deriving from Kosovo’s obligations having signed the Free Trade Agreement – CEFTA, for the part which is related to the trading of agricultural-food products. DP took part in the formation of the Sub-Group for Agriculture, the duty of which is identification of the

165

problems and of the opportunities that derive from the regulations of the CEFTA agreement. There was collaboration with different companies from the agricultural sector, to identify the problems that they have during the export of their products. ¾ The preparation of the draft proposal for the freeing from customs tariffs for several agricultural input products.

Agricultural Statistics ¾ The gathering of agricultural statistics from the municipalities through the organization of the Six Month Questionnaire from which agricultural statistics were acquired from; vegetable production, livestock production, agricultural mechanisms, the utilization of agricultural land and irrigation. ¾ The Acceptance of the second Six Month Administrative Questionnaires in the Office of Agricultural Statistics, the professional logical inspection by the corresponding departments, the processing, and the inclusion based on the statistics and their analyzing.

18.2 The creation of the accounting network of farms in Kosovo (FADN)

The questionnaire was based on the EU regulation which has the objective of gathering farm statistics in order to keep farm accounting. Even non-member states that aim at joining the EU must organize this type of questionnaire in order to see differences in results from year to year.

The results gained from this questionnaire allow for the drafting of favorable policies for the farmers of Kosovo.

This activity has been achieved in 4 specified phases: The compilation of the probative samples from the Domestic Agricultural Economies Questionnaire in the selection of the farms sample for the year 2008; The preparation of the “Farm Book” and the necessary completion that must be done; the Administration and maintenance of the protocol book; and The input of statistics into the EXCEL program.

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18.3 The Preparation of Export-Import Statistics Based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the MBPZHR and the SHDK, the statistics are collected for chapters 1-24, the agriculture statistics. Based on the many requests by different organizational units of the MBPZHR, as well as the requests of other users, Export-Import reports were worked on for the chapters on agriculture, from 1-24. Requested statistics are usually presented in quantity and in value according to the articles (codified by the Customs Service of Kosovo), states and according to the year (2004-2008).

18.4 The Updating of Prices for 100 agriculture products from the Trade Information System

The DSB in cooperation with the Trade Information System, as well as with other systems (such as that of the PHK-Inter-cooperation and the Statistical Office of Kosovo) worked, in close collaboration with the SIT responsibility, so that this system could be strengthened.

18.5 GIS-Preparation of maps

There was work on the preparing and the designing of the map of Kosovo in the region. The map includes municipality borders, names of municipalities, streets of the first and second ordinance, rivers, lakes, while as the foundation of the map, there is the satellite image of Kosovo from the year 2000. The presentation of the surface includes graphical images including: vineyards, meadows, pastures and forests, based on the information given by the Kosovo Cadastral Agency. The preparation of the 2008 IPA, the preparation of the concept proposals for these projects: the institutional support for the MBPZHR – the knowledge sharing project, the consolidation of agricultural land and the Registration of farms, Grants for rural and agricultural development and continuing Support for the Sustainable Management of Forests.

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The communication and coordination with donors: AER/KE, USAID, SIDA, ËB, SDC, FAO and other donating Governments that operate in the Agricultural and Rural Development sector. ¾ The support for the identification and preparation of the ToR for the draft proposal of the World Bank.

¾ The backing for the preparation of the Italian Government program, “Support for organic productivity in vegetable cultivation.” The management, coordination, reporting, and the support in the implementation of these projects which are in the phase of implementation: ¾ Sustainable Forest Management (SFM); ¾ Institutional Support for the MBPZHR (ISMBPZHR); ¾ The Rehabilitation of the Tertiary Irrigation System (TIP); ¾ The Kosovo Center for Livestock Breeding (KCLB); ¾ The project for the Establishment of an information system on land resources for the sustainable utilization of land, financed by the FAO international organization; ¾ Support for the Deep Rural Zones by FAO; ¾ The implementation of the subsidies project. Activities undertaken in these fields were: ¾ The protection of agricultural land from unplanned urban building and the sustainable utilization of this land; ¾ The unfinished regulation of the consolidation from the years 83-89, the solving of property issues and the registration of current property owners in the Immovable Property Rights Register (RDPP) in several municipalities of Kosovo; ¾ The establishment of the information system on land resources for the sustainable utilization of land; ¾ The defining of building and agricultural zones in rural areas and the improvement of the environmental state in the Klina municipality /pilot project/ ¾ The Preparation of Local Development Strategies; ¾ Support for sustainable rural development;

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¾ The supply of satisfactory advice and training for at least 12,000 farms during the entire year, with the objective of increasing productivity, decreasing costs for production units, achieving quality production which is healthy and competitive in the market; ¾ The project for advisory services, “the Development of Rural Areas through Advancing Advisory Services;” ¾ The implementation of the project for farm subsidies for farmers in the amount of 520.000 euro; ¾ The integration of Albanian women and girls, and those of minority backgrounds, from rural areas in all of the processes of societal life in the Republic of Kosovo, analyzing the role and status of the women whereby the gender inequality in agricultural activities is reflected.

Furthermore, throughout the one year period, in cooperation with all of the municipalities and other interested parties for the implementation of the Law on Agricultural Land, meetings with inspectors at the central and municipal level in the implementation of the Law on Agricultural Land, comprehensive notifications were made throughout the municipalities of Kosovo for the initiating of new projects for the voluntary consolidation of land, taking inventory of the unfinished consolidation documentation from the years 83-89 in 97 cadastral zones and 8 cadastral municipalities, and the determining of cadastral zones was completed for the unfinished consolidation services of agricultural lands project for the year 2008.

18.6 Collaboration with the community In this field, these activities were completed: 1. The signing of memoranda of understanding with all of the municipalities of Kosovo. 2. The advancing of institutional capacities at the local level. 3. The formation of Local Action Groups (GLV).

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4. The holding of sessions for technical advice for farmers and the community on the basis of their needs and requests. 5. In the notification field, direct aid was given in the preparation of manuals, catalogs and leaflets for the increase in the number of agricultural publications in general, such as the publication of the “Agmia ng” and “Zora gb” monthly informative magazines. The distribution of this information and these messages has been done through the media, through brochures, leaflets, according to the requests made by farmers and the community. 6. The cooperation with national and international NGO’s has existed relating to the advisory support for farmers.

18.7 The Composing of Draft Laws and Administrative Instructions Distinct advancements were made in the building of legal infrastructure. During this time period, 4 laws have fully come into force, whereas 5 other laws have been approved, in principle, at the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo. There are 11 laws pronounced during the year 2008 which have fully come into force. During this time period, 33 (thirty three) Administrative Instructions have been approved and the following Memoranda of Understanding have been signed:

1. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development, the Municipal Assembly of Kamenica/Dardana, and the “Fidanishtja” SHPF Community in Kamenica/Dardana; 2. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, the Municipal Assembly of Junik, and the “Lumi i Bardhë” Irrigation Unit; 3. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, the Municipal Assembly of Istog/Burim, and the “Gurakoci” Irrigation Unit; 4.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, the Municipal Assembly of Prizren and the “Dukagjini” Irrigation Unit;

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5. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, the Municipal Assembly of Viti – The Agriculture and Rural Development Directorate, and the “Mogilla”, “Hidroskefteraj”, and “Skifteraj” SHPU. 6. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, the Municipal Assembly of Gjakova and the Community – Association of Users of “Shqiponja” Irrigation in Gjakova; 7. The Memorandum of Understanding, between the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, the Municipal Assembly of Drenas and the NH “Ibër Lepenci” SH.A; 8. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Confederation of Free Syndicates in Kosovo (KSLK); 9. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development and Accord with PRO. DO.CS-IT (PROGRETTO DOMANI: COLTURA ESOLIDARIETA); 10. The Memorandum of Understanding, between the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development and UNICEF – Office in Prishtina. The realization of the Action Plan for implementation of European Partnership with Kosovo (PVPE) Special attention was given to the collaboration and cooperation of the work with the TAIEX Office in Brussels. Regarding the application for technical assistance by TAIEX, two successful training sessions were held.

18.8 Food, Public Health and Veterinary Safety Based on the obligations deriving from the Government of the Republic of Kosovo Program for the year 2008, and based on the planning activities for this reporting period, in the field of food and veterinary health safety, the following activities were completed: the safeguarding of public health and livestock health, food safety, the advancing and harmonization of the work of internal and border inspection according to EU regulations, the stimulation of food productivity – exporting, the advancing of farmer awareness on the welfare of livestock, permanent contacts with international organisms

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such as: OIE, DG-SANCO, EU-FMD Commission, FAO, Codex Alimentarius, the World Bank, implementation of the bird flu project from the World Bank, contacts with referring laboratories, keeping track of the Epizootic situation in the country and in the region (according to the OIE Code) and the making of decisions commensurate with the recommendations of OIE such as halting the import of livestock and food products with animal origins from countries which have had the presence of diseases on the OIE’s List A, taking and reporting concrete actions from the Action Plan for implementation of European Partnership (PVPE).

For the protection of public and veterinary safety, we are stressing that during this time period, private veterinary practices have been distributed: 55000 vaccines for Rabies, 110.000 tablets (Praziquantel) against endoparasites, 18.000 vaccine doses against Anthrax, 50.000 vaccine doses against the classic swine plague, 1.600.000 vaccine doses against chicken plague (commercial farmers), 15807 blood samples were taken (from bovine, sheep, goats, and birds) for research, monitoring, and for the diagnosing of animal diseases, with regards to Food Safety, 512 samples in total were made for the national plan for the monitoring of residues, 855 samples from the Phytosanitary Border Inspectors, and 922 samples from the Veterinary Border Inspectors. All of these services which were free for farmers, have the monetary value of 1.000.000 euro, and were financed by the BKK.

In the IBK farm for research, each year, experiments are established with different cultivations from differing agricultures such as with wheat, barley, corn, and potatoes. During spring of 2008, 75 experimental plots were planted with corn, respectively 120 with potatoes for experimental objectives and tests. During the fall, experimental fields with wheat (415 plots) were planted for the 2008/2009 vegetative season, of which are separated into the following: 252 plots for examination, 128 VKP plots, 35 for testing lines. These experimental fields present quite an important link in the sphere of agriculture taking into account that the results from these experimental campaigns create quite a real reflection on the selection and cultivation of the best cultivators from all of the agricultural mechanisms which enter our country from different countries.

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18.9 Fighting livestock contraband, destruction of materials The inspectors of MPBZHR-AVUK, in cooperation with the PK, confiscated 609 pieces of livestock which were suspected of illegally entering the country. Due to the fact that there was a lack of ownership documents, 266 cases ended up in slaughterhouses authorized as such by AVUK. 29 cases of livestock contraband were proceeded to the competent court as a criminal offense Contractors of Private Veterinary Practices have reported regarding the situation of livestock on the ground, and according to these reports, for the year 2008, there were 50620 births, 40 deaths, and 2643 + 4098 transactions (the exporting of calves).

During this period, the Private Veterinary Practices are charged with – 51140 identifying numbers and with the accompanying documentation (reporting cards, informative material, etc.) Veterinary inspectors engaged in the destruction of livestock, of which 159 domestic animals tested positive for Brucellosis disease, 1000 chickens and 82 bee hives were destroyed due to the presence of Pestis Apium, and for these destructions, the farmers were compensated.

During this time period, these activities were also completed: 1. For the welfare of livestock, these programs for drafted: ¾ The educational program for the maintenance of swine in farms. ¾ The documentary program for the Sharri Dog. ¾ The documentary program on the care for sheep and lamb. ¾ The program for increasing the awareness of farmers, students for the precaution towards; ¾ Livestock – educational posters on domestic animals and in farms, the implementation of the first phase of the program for the managing of stray dogs.

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2. The continuation of the inspection of food products with animal origins. ¾ The updating of the database on the import of food products; ¾ 10 135 loads were inspected, ¾ 1 665 samples were taken, ¾ 3 loads were denied, ¾ 1282 import licenses were given out,

3. The Phytosanitary Inspection Border Points ¾ The completion of the phytosanitary inspections continues according to the law and the work instruction approved by the MBPZHR and the harmonization with EU laws related to the general activities in the PK; ¾ In the first part of the year, 16,735 loads were inspected. ¾ 2,820 samples were taken for analyzing. ¾ 1,657 licenses for temporary import were given out.

According to the inspectors’ report, it has been evaluated that in the reporting period in question, the activity increased in comparison to the predicted work plan or in comparison to the previous year (2007). The comparison of the last two years show that there were 339 inspections of agricultural pharmacies this year, while in the previous year, there were 159 inspections, there were 1294 samples analyzed this year, while there were 982 the previous year, there were 97 decisions made this year, while last year, there was 43.

The export of skins compared to the same time period in 2007 has increased by 80 percent. The export of livestock (calves) for this reporting period compared to all of 2007 has doubled. The export of fur and snails has begun.

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Table 7. Exports, (2008) 2007 Licenses

Ton/kg

Exports, Skins

87

Calves

30

2038 580 pieces

-

-

Fur

2008 Financial Means 9476.50 euro

Licenses 146

750 euro

111

-

1

Ton/kg pieces 3421 ton 4098 pieces 16.667 kg

DIFFERENCE Financial Means 15.713 euro

6,237 euro 1383 ton

3.720 euro

2.970 euro 3518 pieces

92.50 euro

92.50 euro

Finance

Ton/pieces

16.667 kg

In the January-December 2008 time period, from the completed inspections throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo, 54 summonses were proceeded to the court. From the statistics reflected in the work report of the phytosanitary inspectors, the results show that there was income created in the amount of 69,243.14.

The income was mainly created by: the issuance of Phytosanitary certificates and Sampling of the plants, plant products, land parcels for production of seeds for analysis. In support of the QKMK project, the strategy was drafted for the long-term development of the QKMK that has as an objective the giving of aid for the stimulation of the rural economy through the improvement of stockbreeding productivity, with influence on the increase in food security at the national level, in securing a sustainable management of natural resources, with the inclusion of all ethnic groups engaged in stockbreeding. Significant support was also given to the heliciculture project which was financed by the GTZ and Mercy Corps.

Based on the pastoral resources that Kosovo has available, with around 16,000 hectares, and on the need for their sustainable utilization, the strategic plan was drafted which plans the regulation of the managing, utilization, monitoring, and improving of these resources. Within the framework of the plan, a project is being drafted for the melioration of the pasturage.

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Supported by the ISMBPZHR Project, throughout this time period, there was continuous work done in the drafting of a strategy for the agro-environment with a special emphasis on the treatment of the components of stockbreeding. In harmony with the sector policies and the current development of the stockbreeding sector, there was work done on the preparation of draft proposals that correspond with the current developments in the development of stockbreeding. These following projects were prepared and proposed: ¾ The development of sheep cultivation through the intensification of the utilization of pasturage, ¾ The regression of heifers, ¾ The subsidizing of milk, ¾ The fish cultivation of waters, ¾ The increase of public markets for livestock, ¾ The improvement of infrastructure for the treatment of organic fertilizer in stockbreeding farms. The project was achieved for the bovine racial improvement and with the proceeds from the budget in the amount of 100,000 €, were distributed in a form of a back pay to the farmers who breed heifers of pure races as well as local ones which are used as a biologic material for race improvement. 317 farmers have benefited from this project for 1000 pieces of cattle. A draft document from the milk sector (producing and processing) was completed for membership in the International Dairy Federation (IDF).

In addition, through the acting mechanisms on the ground, the monitoring of livestock food prices and the processing capacities of the mixers of livestock food was completed; the monitoring and analyzing of production capacities and of livestock food prices were also completed. Supported by FAO, the MPBZHR in cooperation with the Beekeeper Federation of Kosovo has achieved the stocktaking of the national bee capacities. The stocktaking was achieved in all of the municipalities, as the stocktaking statistics have been processed, systemized and a map was prepared with bee reserves and statistics according to the municipalities.

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18.9 The import of livestock for reproduction and biological material With the goal of improving the genetic foundation, the MBPZHR acted according to the developmental strategy in the improvement of the genetic foundation of the stockbreeding livestock population such as with the increase in the quality of the imported reproduction material. In harmony with the developmental policies and in support of the legislation in power, the approval is made of the imported reproduction material. Evidence with statistics on the origin is compiled for every import, on the quantity and type of material for reproduction.

18.10 The registration of milk productivity in commercial farms The Kosovar Center for Livestock Breeding (QKMK), backed by the Project for QKMK Support, financed by AER, is completing the registration of milk productivity in commercial farms. The QKMK, in cooperation with experts of the MQMK Project, is applying the milk registration in 13 farms and 8 family economies with 380 milk cows. For milk registration, because of the importance it has, the base document was worked on for the national registration of milk; this is a document which will serve as the foundation for continuing this activity. The licensing of enterprises which deal with the production and trading of livestock food continued. 392 inspections were achieved, eight summonses, for the lack of implementation of the law, were proceeded; in addition, 55 suspensions were made of the selling of concentrated food because of irregularities in trade. Throughout this time, 57 samples of concentrated food were inspected for quality determination.

Traditional Manifestation continued and the following were achieved: “The 2008 Kosovo Bovine Fair” in Gjakova; the Marking of International Milk Day and the Beekeeping Fair.

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18.11 The Safeguarding of Forests The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development has continuously drafted favorable development policies and was the main bearer of responsibility for the preparation of the document with concrete project proposals for the donors’ conference and for KASH. Furthermore, the preparation of the IPA 2008 was completed as was the preparation of the concept proposals for the projects. Pronounced results were marked in the administration and management of the forests and with state forest lands and the managing of Forests in National Parks. Greater regard was dedicated to the safeguarding of forests from illegal woodcutting. Towards this end, 8900 summonses were issued to illegal woodcutters for criminal violations and offenses. 5300 m3 of cut and illegally transported wood mass was confiscated and over 1200 inspections were organized for woodland and non-woodland roads. Likewise, 7220 m3 of engineering wood and 77.32 m³ of fire wood were confiscated. For the objective of safeguarding forests from forest fires, 800 meters of forest line was cute for defense purposes and 37 water gathering reservoirs were opened for intervention against forest fires.

The utilization of forests was also done through the annual operational plan for forest management where close to 60000 m3 of wood mass in the state sector was contracted, and in the private sector, over 150000 m3 of wood mass was permitted. With the cleaning of forests, over 15000 m3 of garbage – fallen and dried out wood from illegal woodcutting, was removed. For the restoration of forests with healthy woodlands, over 1200000 new coniferous trees were planted for forestation and 520 empty hectares of land were afforested (411 hectares in the state sector and 101 hectares in the private sector). Through pre-commercial attenuating, 10000 m3 of wood mass was extracted from close to 2000 hectares of woodland, to be donated 1700 poor families.

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Two managing units have begun the implementation of the long-term Management Plan for 5000 hectares of forest: (Decan and Lloqan Forests with 2500 hectares and Ahishta in Kacanik with 2500 hectares). 9200 hectares were also prepared with the long-term Management Plans for the Managing Units in Peja, Prizren and Gjilan and the preparation of Management Plans was completed for the “Jezerci” Managing Unit in Ferizaj in a land mass of 7000 hectares, in the hunting area with a special importance in “Blinaja” (joint with Klina) etc.

During the monitoring of the situation on the ground of supervision and inspection dealing with forestry, hunting land and eco-tourism, 72 decisions were made related to different stoppages, orders, etc., 163 summonses for violations were given in total, whereas 17 other summonses are in progress.

Within the framework of agricultural statistics, the gathering of agriculture statistics from the municipalities has been done through the organization of the six month administrative questionnaire from which agricultural statistics were acquired on vegetable productivity, livestock productivity, agricultural mechanisms, the utilization of agricultural land as well as irrigation. The logical professional supervision of the corresponding departments was finalized, analyzed and included in the statistical database.

The MBPZHR has continuously monitored the project for the “Vineyard Cadastral and Wine Industry” and made the official evaluation (degustation) of wines produced in the year 2007. 41 samples were presented for evaluation, from these samples, 8 were evaluated as high-quality wines, 22 as quality wines, 9 as table wines and one sample was negatively evaluated.

During this year, farmers were subsidized with diesel fuel at a 30% lower price; this subsidizing was directly supported by the Government of Kosovo. Likewise, 59,205 labels for wheat (36,977), potatoes (2001) and young fruit trees (20,227) were printed.

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18.12 5000 hectares of agricultural land were put in the irrigation system The project for the rehabilitation of irrigation systems for 2008 is of special importance since the capital investments for the project are from the Fund of the Consolidated Budget of the Republic of Kosovo. Throughout 2008, capital investments were achieved in the amount of 450.000 euro (300.000 euro were planned for the year 2008 and over 150.000 euro were investments that were not realized during 2007 and therefore achieved for the year 2008). To date, these projects have been completed: The Rehabilitation of Osmanaj artificial dam in Prekalla of Istog/Burim; the building of the artificial dam in Shishman and Jablinica of Gjakova; the building of the artificial dam in Grabanica of Klina; the secondary and tertiary irrigation system in Nashec-Grazhdanik of Prizren; 7 water distribution points (containers) in Junik; a part of the irrigation system in Drenas which was achieved in cooperation with KU Iber-Lepenc. The rehabilitation

of

the

water

canals

in:

Bruznik

–

Vushtrri,

in

Dajkovc

of

Kamenica/Dardana and Skifteraj and Mogilla of Viti; are in progress and should be completed by the middle of December.

In the field of the productivity of vegetable safeguarding, these draft proposals have been completed: During this year, 5000 hectares of agricultural land were put in the irrigation system. After the rehabilitation that MBPZHR achieved in the irrigation system and in the comprehensive inclusion of arable lands in this system, these projects were proposed: ¾ The draft proposal for the rehabilitation of irrigation systems for 30.000 hectares, ¾ The draft proposal for the cultivation of 810 hectares with fruit trees and small fruits, ¾ The draft proposal for the cultivation of 133 hectares of land with greenhouses, ¾ The draft proposal for the improvement of the variety grape-vine structure in Kosovo through the cultivation of 1.500 hectares of vineyards, ¾ The draft proposal for the improvement of road infrastructure in the vineyard region of Kosovo,

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¾ The draft proposal for the cultivation of mother vineyards for sub-grafts and over-grafts n an area of 10 hectares, ¾ The draft proposal for the equipping and functioning of the laboratory for the Vineyards and Wines Institute, ¾ The draft proposal for the cultivation of an experimental vineyard, ¾ The draft proposal for the vineyard cadastral and wine industry (in implementation), ¾ The draft proposal for the subsidizing seed producers. Throughout the year 2008, a range of international work visits were realized for In Croatia, a Memorandum for cooperation was signed between the MPPZH and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Croatia. This Memorandum encourages further cooperation of good relations and the empowerment of the continuation of work in fields of shared interest that are related to the process prior to entering the EU (IPARD). The Memorandum was signed by the Minister of the MBPZHR, Idriz Vehapi and Mr. Bozidar Pankretic.

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19. PUBLIC SERVICES Based on the Government of the Republic of Kosovo Program and on the Work Plan for 2008, the Ministry of Public Services achieved key objectives within the framework of the field of action and the competencies that are the responsibility of this Ministry.

During this time period, MSHP continued working towards the realization of the process of Public Administration Reform, the growth and advancing of the statistical infrastructure as well as finishing preparations for trial registration, in the advancing of the cadastral infrastructure and the cadastral service system, transferring the competencies from UNMIK to the national institutions, in securing the necessary space for the normal functioning of the national institutions, in the advancing of information technology (e-governance), the further completion of legislation, increasing capacities and training in public administration.

The MSHP continued with the supervision of politics functioning towards a professional civil service, sustainable policies, efficient policies, unbiased policies, responsible policies, based on merit and balanced in terms of gender and ethnicity.

19.1 The Reform of Public Administration The Reform of Public Administration is one of the key priorities of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo; it is also included in the framework of the 2008-2011 Program of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and the Action Plan for implementation of European Partnership (PVPE). With the No. 05/243 Decision of the Government, the Strategy for the Reform of Public Administration in Kosovo was approved, also with the No. 03/256 Decision, the Working Group was established for the coordination of work for the implementation of the Strategy and Action Plan for Public Administration Reform, in addition, the procedural regulations for the functioning of the working group in question were approved.

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The Working Group for Public Administration Reform made a detailed analysis of the implementation of the Action Plan for Public Administration Reform. Based on the request of the institutions responsible for the implementation of the PVRAP and after an analysis was made by the working group, real deadlines were set for the actions which are in the process of implementation. With regards to the coordination of the RAP, the working group is functional and is monitoring the subwork groups which are responsible for the coordination of the process of corresponding fields. The sub-work groups report on a monthly basis before the working group in regular meetings. The Functional Review and Institutional Design of Ministries (FRIDOM) Project has developed several activities in presenting, before different institutions of Kosovo, the achievements in the functional review of the institutions.

Based on these activities, the most recent achievements in the implementation of the PVRAP, according to the corresponding fields, are as follows:

19.2 The Management of Human Resources, the Institutional Organizational Structure and Public Administration Management Based on the RAP Action Plan and based on the dynamic work plan for the composing of the Draft Law on the Kosovo Civil Service and the Draft Law for Wages, DASHC and DL/MSHP, in cooperation with the initiative of Support for the Improvement of Governance and Management (SIGMA), organized from 26-27.6.2008, the “Creation of a Professional Civil Service in Kosovo” Seminar. In this seminar, 80 employees of the Civil Service of Kosovo took part, participants from different international organizations took part such as: the OSCE, the World Bank and DFID, national and international experts, those engaged from SIGMA, covered theoretical and practical aspects of the creation of Civil Service in Kosovo, offering examples of different options for creating a professional civil service in Kosovo, efficient and effective, depoliticized, based on merit and on offering quality, fast, and cheaper service for the citizen. Simultaneously, through the sharing of different experiences, the best practices were offered from countries of the European Union. At the conclusion of this Seminar, corresponding recommendations

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were elicited, which will be utilized as a guide for the drafting of the Law on Civil Service and Law on Wages in Kosovo. Furthermore, with the help of DFID experts, the MSHP was supported in the composing of the Law on Civil Service and the Law on Wages. The Draft Law for the Civil Service was discussed on 11.11.2008 in the Personnel Managers’ Forum, where the Personnel managers presented their essential remarks relating to this draft. In this meeting, it was proposed that two represents of the Personnel Managers’ Forum take part in the InterMinistry Group for the finalization of the Draft Law on the Civil Service; since these are the direct implementers of the law in question. In two special workshops, the Inter-Ministry Groups finalized the Draft Law on the civil service and that on wages. These workshops were organized by DASHC and these two draft laws will be sent, for approval in the first three months of 2009, to the Parliament of Kosovo.

The Administrative Instruction for the Functioning of the Personnel Managers’ Forum was signed and a special link was opened with the names of the personnel managers at the central and local level. The analysis was completed for the current state of the wage system, the organizational structure, job positions, and the wage coefficients. The management system of information service will be ready for implementation at the end of this year. During December of 2008, the project related to the development of software for the advancement of the wages system was completed, whereas its implementation will be done throughout the year 2009. Simultaneously, in December of 2008, the other project, which is related to the Management Information System of Human Resources, was completed. In addition, this project will begin to be implemented during the year 2009. With the objective of the realization and functioning of these two projects, a considerable number of hardware equipment was purchased.

The implementation of the 2007/2009 Medium-Term Framework of Training Coordination continued.

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In May of 2008, “The AI on the implementation of the procedures for the functioning of the Senior Public Appointments Committee (KELP)” was approved; with UNMIK Regulation No. 20/2008, the functions of the three international members of KELP were discontinued, the Government made a decision, which foresees a temporary solution for the functioning of KELP, meanwhile the final solution will be done with the drafting of the Law on Civil Service which will define the final status of KELP, as an independent institution. For the objective of the implementation of the RAP Action Plan, the Inter-Ministry group for the Compilation of the Draft Law on the Civil Service and for the Wages of Civil Employees, in two special workshops, finalized these draft laws. These draft laws will be sent to the Government for approval.

19.3 The Functional Review and Institutional Design of Ministries Throughout the entire process of the functional review, the most important element was the confirmed will and determination of the Government to go forward with the functional review and institutional design of Ministries. In terms of this, it is worthwhile emphasizing the establishment of the Public Administration Reform Commission, which at the central policy level supervises the implementation of the project as well as the engagement of all of the governmental structures for the implementation of the recommendations the derive correspondingly with the predicted reviews in the defined time periods. The Inter-Ministry commission for Public Administration Reform held regular meetings, in which FRIDOM experts presented the preliminary report of the review of the entire Government as well as the recommendations of the structuring of the entire Government. During the month of December, FRIDOM experts presented the final report of the review on the Ministry of Public Services, in which the transformation of this Ministry into the Ministry of Public Administration, was recommended; the preliminary findings and recommendations were made from the vertical review of the Ministry of Local Government Administration, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice

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and soon, there will be a draft report released for the these Ministries. As for the horizontal review, which includes the coordination of policies, work plans, European integration, financial management, e-governance, public procurement, governmental communication and human resource management; it is continuing with success. The report of the horizontal review of human resource management at the central level may be emphasized as a primary achievement. This report includes the review of the central system of human resources and the main systems such as: The functional organization of the institutions, the work analysis, preferment and classification, wages and other compensation schemes, recruiting procedures, etc. Furthermore, this report includes the review of central human resource management capacities such as the Civil Service Administration Department (DASHC), the Independent Oversight Board of Kosovo (KPMK), the Senior Public Appointments Committee (KELP), and the Public Administration Institute of Kosovo (IKAP). The review of the peripheral capacities of human resource management was also done such as: the types and size of the human resource management units, the Managing of Human Resources in Executive Agencies, the cooperation between human resource management units, etc.

At the end of each vertical review, the Medium-Term Development Plan will be drafted, which will include all of the recommendations for the proposed interventions for the Ministry in question and the institutions which depend upon the this Ministry. The recommendations will be identified in concrete activities according to a temporal plan which is consistent with the priorities of each specific portfolio, but also of the Government in general. The approval of the PAZH in the Government will make these action plans into obligations for the institutions, in this way securing that the drafted recommendations turn into strategic documents for each institution.

19.4 Communication with Citizens Based on the temporal plan for the implementation of the RAP Action Plan within the framework of the field of communication with citizens, after the determination of contact points for public communications, trainings for coaches in the communication

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field are being organized, which helps in the strengthening the contact points for communication with citizens. In order to functionalize these contact points, the training program was prepared in the public communications field, which includes three phases. The trainings will be oriented towards the professional advancing of the existing capacities of the offices for public communications, the training of coaches for the public communications officers and of the contact points for public communications in all of the budgetary agencies; in the designing and maintenance of the agency electronic portals, as well as the initial trainings for new officers. These trainings will further professionalize the offices and the officers for communication with the public. Based on the other point for the Action Plan, the working group for the drafting of the strategy for communication with citizens has now finished this strategy and sent it to the Government for approval.

19.5 Anti-Corruption The Courtesy Code for civil employees has been approved by the Government of Kosovo, which represents the entirety of principles and norms, based on which all civil employees act upon. However, in order to further strengthen the mechanisms for the prevention of political interventions in Public Administration, the MSHP, in the Draft Law for the Government of Kosovo and in the Draft Law for the Civil Service, distinctly determined the division between civil employees and political appointees.

The Inter-Ministry working group against corruption was nominated, which is now functional. The Medium-Term Strategy for the Prevention and Fighting of Corruption in the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo is being drafted, this strategy is among the policies of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo for the fighting, in different forms, of corruption, nepotism, for the prevention of political interventions in the civil service, as well as the prevention of the advancing of official persons without merit. Declarations of the wealth of official persons are done on a regular basis and the agency against corruption has made public the names of those senior state officials who have not declared their wealth.

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For the objective of the implementation of the Action Plan in the anti-corruption field regarding the employment procedures such as: The stimulation of competition in the process of recruiting and advancing according to merits, the obligatory acceptance of the Courtesy Code from official persons as a requirement for their employment, as well as the respecting and rigorous implementing of the work contracts of civil employees; the Ministry of Public Services has done the monitoring of these procedures in all of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo. The main findings constituted by the employees of DASHC/MSHP during these visits were mainly related to the term of valuation of the civil employee work contracts. This occurrence especially dominated in the municipal administration as a result of the management changes of the municipalities after the elections at the end of 2007 and the delays in the constituting of the municipal organs. The MSHP recommended and requested that these institutions implement the procedures for the implementation of the law on the civil service and that as soon as possible, all civil employees with valid contracts be equipped with work contracts. After the recommendations were made, according to information sources, the institutions equipped civil employees with work contracts.

19.6 Policies and Legislation After the establishment of the working group for the identification and elimination of legal collision with Government decisions, this group drafted a plan for the organization of roundtables for the identification and elimination of legal collision in all fields. The committee was formed for the monitoring of the implementation of laws, which is directed by Deputy Prime Minister Kuci. This committee held one meeting in which the foundation was set for the action plan and the obligations of the members of the committee. In order to cooperate with the supervisory mechanisms for the implementation of laws, the contact points were determined from each institution, which will help the work of the committee for the monitoring of the implementation of laws. The Personnel Managers’ Forum covered issues related to the implementation of the RAP Plan, with the Draft Law on the Kosovo Civil Service, with the draft administrative

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instructions from the sphere of human resource management and of public administration.

Work has begun in the advancing of software for enrichment with new modules, part of the “Software advancing for the wage system” project, which has a value of 150.000 euro. The contract was signed for the “Equipping with hardware for the distribution of the wage and per diem system” project, which has a value of 100.000 €. For the realization of these projects, the current condition of the SHCK wage system, the organizational structure of job positions, and wage coefficients will be analyzed. To this purpose, proposals of measures were made for developmental reform and the implementation of new uniform system of SHCK preferment.

70% of the proceedings were completed for the creation of a modern human resource management system. Furthermore with Government Decision No. 07/06 7.2.2008, the Committee for the Monitoring and Implementing of Laws was established, directed by Deputy Prime Minister Kuci. In order to cooperate with supervisory mechanisms for the implementation of laws, contact points were determined in each institution to help in the work of the committee for the monitoring and implementing of laws. In the first meeting for the Monitoring and implementing of laws, directed by Deputy Prime Minister Kuci; work began for the action plan on the monitoring and implementing of laws and the obligations were earmarked for the members of the Committee for the Monitoring and implementing of laws. Meanwhile, in the 12.12.2008 meeting, the Committee for the Monitoring and implementing of laws took the stand that the Institutions of the Republic of Kosovo should prepare a comprehensive report related to the implementation of laws. In this case, the Committee members are to gather statistics related to the implementation of laws in all of the Ministries / Executive agencies.

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19.7 e-Governance Within the framework of the implementation of the objectives determined by the Government Program for e-Governance and of efforts for the modernization of information technology in Public Administration, an International Conference with the “e-Governance in Kosovo” theme was organized in May of 2008. Different themes and experiences were presented at the conference by national and international representatives, on the way of offering electronic, corresponding legislation and other aspects of this subject. Representatives from Albania, Estonia, Austria, and Slovenia, and representatives from Microsoft, HP, etc., took part and contributed in the conference. The 2009-2005 Electronic Government Strategy was approved by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, with decision no. 09/47, in which on one end, the MSHP is obligated for the implementation of this strategy and on the other end, the governmental institutions are obligated to cooperate with the MSHP for the implementation of the Strategy for Electronic Government. With the decision of the Government, the Strategy for e-Governance becomes a national strategy. The MSHP approved the Administrative Instruction no. 07/2008, within the function of the e-Governance strategy and advancement of the transparency in public institutions, for the strengthening of transparency of the standardization of the internet pages in the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

19.8 The registration of population, family economies and apartments

Within the framework of the preparations for the general registration of the population, family economies and apartments; the third test registration, implemented in 6 centers of Kosovo with a mixed population, from October 27th to November 10th, 2008 was completed under the monitoring of the EUROSTAT International Mission of Monitoring Organizations of the Governing Monitoring Committee

This registration had a 93.3 percent participation rate. All of the communities that live in Kosovo are included in the registration. All of the necessary instruments for registration

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were prepared according to international standards and were approved by the EUROSTAT Governing Committee. The international conference on statistics and population registration, organized by ESK, was held in June, in Prishtina.

The ESK created the new sample base, which will help in increasing the quality of the statistics and in the lowering of research expenditures. Meanwhile, during this time period, 31 publications were printed from the different fields of the statistics subject. The agreement was reached with the UNFPA for publishing statistics on the causes of death in Kosovo, and one was reached with UNICEF, for joint research in social statistics fields for children, who benefit from social assistance. With the GOPA project (financed by the European Commission), the ESK is backing research harmonization based on international standards.

19.9 The accommodation of the institutions from private buildings into Government buildings Based on the decision of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo for the rationalization of expenditures and securing of necessary physical infrastructure for Government buildings, the Strategic Plan for residential placement was drafted, correspondingly, there was work with the emergency and short-term plan for the utilization of buildings after transition.

In the function of implementing the decision for the moving of the governmental institutions from private buildings, the emergency, short-term and long-term plans for residential placement of public administration were compiled. The Strategic Plan of Placement was completed and the strategic action plan was compiled for the time periods of its implementation. According to the Strategic Plan, these buildings were specified: The “Toskana” Building for the Ministry of Energy and Mining, formerly the “Urata” building, “Menza e Studenteve,” and the three floor and ground floor administrative building of the Fushe Kosova Train Station.

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Based on the decision of the MSHP, the Ministry of Return and the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo will be accommodated in the train station buildings, while the Ministry of Local Government Administration will be accommodated in what was formerly the “Urata” Building. Works in the “Mensa e Studenteve” and “Toskana” buildings should be completed by the end of 2008. By the end of 2008, the feasibility project for the erecting of the new Government building will be submitted. The transitional process of moving UNMIK buildings into those of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo began in May of 2007. The plan was submitted to the Government and was accepted as a base for taking action.

In considering the creation of new institutions, the infrastructural needs, and Government buildings a base; the MSHP in cooperation with the municipal assembly of Prishtina determined Hajvali as the new location for the Government Complex. There is intensive work being done for the internal form of the project.

To date, no building has been transferred from UNMIK to the Government institutions.

According to the Government decision, the implementation has begun of the Project for the renovation of the Media Palace, formerly “Rilindja”, and formal legal requests have been submitted to the municipal assembly of Prishtina for the function of the beginning of works on the ground. Currently, the works on the renovation of the tower and the auditorium have begun. It is expected that these will be completed by the end of 2009.

According to the Government decision, the implementation has begun of the Project for the building of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo (ASHAK). Formal legal requests have been submitted to the municipal assembly of Prishtina for the beginning of works on the ground. Work began on April 8th, 2008 with the destruction of existing buildings at the location of the ASHAK. The work, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2009, is continuing.

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Towards completing spatial infrastructure for the protocol needs of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, the “Blinaja” intensive project has been created. Afterwards the project idea was created, which is in the review phase and in the phase of analyzing proposals for the solutions which were offered.

The draft financial concept was worked on and the consent in principle was received for the location of the building and the urban conditions from the municipal assembly of Prishtina for the needs of the Constitution Court of Kosovo. The technical documentation work is currently in the waiting phase; this documentation is for the implementation of this project and is set to begin at the start of 2009. Meanwhile, the MSHP has prepared the project for renovation of the building used by TMK Zone V in Pejton quarter which following renovation, will serve as a temporary building, where the Constitutional Court of Kosovo is due to work in.

The Projects of the Ministry of Finance and Economy – Tax Administration, which deal with the renovation of ATK centers in Gjilan, Gjakova and Peja, are in the final phase. For the Ministry of Internal Affairs projects of the QRA and QKRC buildings in Ferizaj, Malisheva, Prizren, Skenderaj, Kamenica/Dardana; the technical specifications have been prepared, based on which, the selection of contractors proceeded and is now in the final phase of the contracted works. Whereas for the QRA and QKRC buildings in Suhareka/Theranda, Dragash, and in Fushe Kosova; the prepared projects have been submitted to the MPB. For the erecting of the central building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the contracted workers and supervisors have been selected which will follow the work on the ground. The MSHP/DSHIMN team, with the members of the MPB and the European Agency complete the supervision and definitive approval of all technical work, on the ground as well as in the project, keeping in mind the allowed budget from the investors. The building is currently in the phase of being erected.

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19.10 Legislative Activity Based on the 2008 Legislative Plan, 13 laws were prepared, 5 administrative instructions were approved by the Prime Minister, 7 administrative instructions were approved by the MSHP Minister, 11 draft laws and 3 draft instructions are in process. The laws prepared by the MSHP, approved by the Parliament and decreed by the President are as follows: The Law on the use of state symbols of Kosovo, the Law on official holidays of the Republic of Kosovo, and the Law on seals of the Republic of Kosovo institutions.

The administrative instructions which were prepared by the MSHP and approved by the Prime Minister are as follows: The Administrative Instruction on the Determination of Expenditures of the Officers of the Government of Kosovo Institutions, the Administrative Instruction on the Definition of a Wage for Political Appointees, the Administrative Instruction on the Use of Government of Kosovo Vehicles, the Administrative Instruction on the Use of Telephones (fixed and mobile) in the Government of Kosovo and the Administrative Instruction on Seals of the Institutions of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.

The administrative instructions prepared by the MSHP and approved by the Minister of the MSHP are as follows: The Administrative Instruction on Identification Cards for Officers of the Institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, the Administrative Instruction on Registration of Gifts in the Gift Catalog in the Institutions of the Republic of Kosovo Civil Service, the Administrative Instruction on Inscriptions in Buildings of the Central Institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, the Administrative Instruction on the Dress and Appearance of Civil Employees, the Administrative Instruction on the Personnel Managers’ Forum, the Administrative Instruction on Service Taxes and of Taxes of Cadastral Products Offered by the Municipal Cadastral Offices and Licensed Geodesy Companies, and the Administrative Instruction on Strengthening Transparency and Standardizing the Internet Pages in the Republic of Kosovo Institutions.

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The draft laws in process are as follows: the Draft Law on the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, the Draft Law on the Republic of Kosovo Civil Service, the Draft Law on Wages of Civil Employees, the Draft Law on Official Statistics, the Draft Law on the State Domain, the Draft Law on the Amendment and Supplementation of Law No. 021-28 on Administrative Procedures, the Draft Law on Information Technology Society in the Institutions of Kosovo, and the Draft Law on the Organization of Cadastral Institutions in Kosovo.

The finalized draft administrative instructions, which are in the adoption procedure, are as follows: The draft Administrative instruction on the Organization and Structuralizing of the MSHP, the draft Administrative instruction on Union Members’ Wage Transfer Services and the Draft Administrative instruction for the Form of the Square Seal, the Type, Nuance and Technical Parameters of the Seal Colors. The MSHP prepared the Draft Administrative instruction for the Organization of Collective Public Transportation for Civil Employees from home to work and vice versa, he Draft Administrative instruction on Monthly Meals for Civil Employees and the Draft Administrative instruction for the Raising of SHCK Wages. These draft instructions were submitted to the Government for further processing. Meanwhile, the Memorandum of Cooperation was prepared between the Cadastral Agency of Kosovo – AKK and municipalities for the cadastral field; to date, this memorandum has only been signed with the Dragash municipality.

19.11 The activities of agencies and departments After the preparation of the documentation for the licensing of geodesy companies and licensed geodetics 37 individual geodetics and three companies were licensed, 13 municipal office operators for RDPP computer registration were certified. Besides, GEOMedise 5.2 software was installed in the municipalities of Peja and Ferizaj. Municipal cadastral offices in Skenderaj and Gjakova have been connected to

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government network for RDPP computer registration. The cadastral offices of Kacanik, Shterpca, Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Leposaviq have not been connected yet.

The first model of prototype Kosovo Cadastral Land Information System - KCLIS or SITKT has been presented. Kosovo Cadastral Land Information System – KCLIS, among others is meant to enable unification of information on cadastres, textual and graphic, in a single database based on web technology.

The project is financed by the Swedish agency, SIDA, and is expected to be completed in mid 2009. With the drafting of the project for digitalization of cadastral documents a grant in the amount of 1 144 000 euro was granted by BKK. This project, which was drafted in 2007, began implementation this year and will continue to be implemented until the end of 2009. The new project of engineering municipal cadastral offices in Ferizaj and Prishtina is a project that has already given initial results. This project intends to improve work conditions, the quality of services and the strengthen transparency and eliminate corruption possibility, by creating the receiving office and operational office separately. With the budget of BETA program, AAK was equipped with a modern server which enables development of a modern cadastre, by introducing security in the server room and monitoring with video cameras.

At this phase AKK and municipal cadastral offices signed memorandums of understanding dealing with handover, use and maintenance of Hard Lock (Key) for GEOS Pro software through UNMIK Financial Intelligence Center (FIC), cooperation between AKK and FIC (QIF).

The Kosovo Cadastral Agency has received 135 complaints from individual and legal persons. From those 124 were resolved, whereas 11 complaints/requests are being resolved and they deal with the non-response of municipal cadastral authorities for registration of property and property rights, usurpation of social and public property, disowning and other cases. Likewise, 14 responses for litigation submitted by parties against Kosovo Cadastral Agency decision have been prepared.

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In 2008 software licenses for Microsoft products and licenses for antivirus software for all ministries, agencies and municipal institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have been distributed. The following system services were carried out successfully: monitoring and maintenance of regular and problem-free functioning of the system, maintenance and monitoring of emails, Internet, backup, domain, file server and maintenance of other servers. Besides maintenance of applicative servers, intervention during defects in all government databases in MS Access, was conducted as well. Other activities include maintenance of SQL serves and all databases in SQL Server platform, as well as maintenance of the Government web server and web pages incorporated in this web server.

We made the optical connection from Kosovo Assembly to Procurement Assessment Organ. Following the request of the institutions we installed and configured the Sophos console in the municipality of Prizren, Ministry of Energy and Mining and Ministry of Work and Social Welfare. Installation, configuration and fictionalization of two new Proxy servers Web 2 and Web 3 and installation and configuration of additional new Exchange Server Pisg-mp 3 and configuration of e-mail Security Appliance used for email scanning, was done.

With the increase of number of users we increased the capacity of Internet from 20 to 30 Mb. Wireless Internet was installed at the Kosovo Assembly. Share-Folder and subfolders with special connection, created for the Agency for Coordination of European Development and Integration were created.

Municipalities, pilot-municipalities and correction centers have been connected to government network. With connection of regional hospitals in Prishtina, Peja, Gjakova, Prizren and Vushtrri to the Government network, we began implementation of the project for the increase of capacity of microwave network. The Ministry of Public Services has lead the final phase of the capital project for the development of software for connecting municipalities with the central government while coordinating development of additional modules of this project with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

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Implementation of this project has begun in all Vital Records offices in Kosovo municipalities. Testing of code and application in general was conducted on 13.11.2008.

In the meantime, management of the capital project of personnel – this project will be implemented in all Government institutions and local Government – has begun. Development phase of the project began with the completion of the feasibility study and documentation of work process. Three hundred and fifty four national NGOs and 11 international NGOs were registered, thus increasing the number of these organizations to 4874; eight of them with a public beneficiary status. The total number of NGOs is 4499 national and 450 international; 912 of them have a public beneficiary status. In the meantime 2 NGO have closed, whereas the total number of NGOs that ceased their activity is 49.

Ministry of Public Services/DShIMN, as part of building management, has met the demands of the departments and all Ministries by creating optimal conditions for the development of work of civil servants in their work places by securing electricity, water, heating, cooling, ventilation, cleaning and transportation, etc.

If compared to 2008, when the Ministry of Public Services managed 16 buildings, the number has now increased to 25. Until the end of the year the Ministry will manage 33 buildings, whereas at the beginning of 2009 the number of buildings managed by the Ministry will reach 40. These numbers include government buildings in the town of Prishtina.

So far 3000 different requests and some 1100 request for permanent and temporary have been processed. Based on this analysis it results that some 20 requests are processed daily, excluding here controls and activities for which there is no need to submit a request. The area of the buildings managed has increased from 90.000 m² to 150.000 m².

The Ministry of Public Services has processed 337 requests that came from various institutions of Civil Service in Kosovo. These requests mainly deal with approval of new

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posts, revision and evaluation of job descriptions, demands for raise of salaries for particular categories and requests for interpreting legal dispositions. During 2008 MPS has processed and paid salaries in the amount of 211,574,715.32 €. From all these payments 224 requests from institutions for new titles and coefficients were processed. The average monthly data processed for changes in the lists of salaries was 12500 data. The table below shows paid obligations for monthly salaries during 2008 and the number of employees for every month. No. Of employees. Gross Pension Tax Net

Unions

January

74343

16767553.66

798454.41

537280.62

14595555.24

37808.98

February

74123

16683328.23

794443.39

534798.84

14518760.74

40881.87

Mars

74538

17326659.74

823651.59

606363.2

14973631.07

41459.18

April

74353

17045325.97

810872.06

554737.29

14826900.82

41943.94

May

74453

17259974.6

819705.82

581396.8

14997034.09

42133.07

June

74292

17315524.42

822769.31

580670.82

15046564.5

42747.48

July

74038

17032568.76

809867.79

566967.6

14803098.95

42766.63

August

73945

16930505.32

805260.84

552317.53

14725008.14

42657.97

September

73941

18114087.47

861639.85

624010.9

15721683.78

42113.89

October

74485

18496374.5

880104.34

647426.15

16040297.14

48442.53

November

74626

19155494.83

911488.31

666931.05

16614961.68

50625.48

December

74701

19447317.82

923539.12

753738.22

16797496.96

49614.4

211,574,715.32 €

10,061,796.83 €

7,206,639.02 €

183,660,993.11 €

523,195.42 €

Total:

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During this year, MPS has processed a large number of requests from various institutions in order to process the payment of daily meals of civil servants. MPS was engaged in including the officials and other staff of the ministries established in 2008 in the payment system, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Security Force of Kosovo. The processing of salaries for these two Ministries started in May and October, depending when the Ministries started work. DAShC was obligated to implement the decision of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo No. 01/33 of the date 29.08.2008 to raise the salaries of educational workers and gather all data for these employees such as: data on their qualification and their experience in education in order to make the payments based on this decree. MPS has been successful in making payments to all educational workers as decreed by the Government. MPS, besides managing the regular payment system, has managed successfully the problems which arose during payment of employees from the Serb minority who, for known reasons, have closed their bank accounts since March 2006 in order to refuse salaries from the Kosovo consolidated budget. Such occurrence took place with the Serb members of Kosovo Police Service at the beginning of 2008; they too closed their bank accounts. Payments made by the MPS were returned by private banks to the Kosovo Central Bank and later to the treasury. With the request of MPS and reopening of bank accounts by the employees from the Serb minority, MPS began repayment of salaries and so far it managed to process salaries for 2277 employees of Serb minority. Yet, based on the reports received from banks, some 1106 employees continue to keep their accounts closed. As part of electronic services for citizens following projects were implemented: The Car Registration System (CRS) and The System of Drivers License Management (SDLM). As part of electronic services for businesses following projects were implemented: the Republic of Kosovo state “e-Portal,” online modules for registration and licensing of businesses, the center for reconstruct of system as part of the preparation of basic infrastructure

for

electronic

services,

expansion

of

microwave

network

and

strengthening of the existing IT systems for government institutions, both central and local. In the meantime, preparations were made for the transfer of UNMIK microwave

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network to government microwave network and increase of human capacity of the information technology staff through professional training, additions for IT experts, and other. Maximum efforts and coordination has been evidenced for payment of contractors who did services for government institutions. Completion of necessary activities for selection of contractors for hygienic and technical maintenance of government buildings was achieved. Based on the contracts that were signed 32 buildings in the Prishtina region are under maintenance. Management and organization of implementation of works based on their priorities and resumption of contracted works for erection and rebuilding of offices: “Rilindja Tower”; The Academy of Arts and Sciences. Consequently, implementation of contracts for start of renovations and oversight of renovations in the following buildings: former- Toskana (KEK), the medication warehouse for the Ministry of Health (at the transport garages of “Rilindje”), oversight and organization of maintenance in renovated buildings that are under guarantee, such as the building of former “Urata” firm, the buildings of the Ministry of Return and Kosovo Police Inspectorate in Fushe-Kosova. In the meantime additional efforts are being made in feasibility study of the new government complex and the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. State institutions moved from private buildings to renovated or freed buildings, as is the case with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that moved to the building of former “Gërmia” Company – Zone A, etc. Following buildings were renovated: the building of the former Kishnica Management Office, a place where the Procurement Revision Body, as well as the Student Cafeteria. Technical specifications for the biding material for the renovation of the Constitutional Court building have been done.

Consequently, 69.469 requests (applications for new employees, bank transfers, salary changes, union membership, additions, and overtime hours) that are connected to payment system were processed. The Ministry managed to always process on time and monthly salaries for the entire budgetary system of Kosovo for 74292 civil servants through data processing for 627 budgetary lines.

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Distribution of heating oil in the amount of 57.127.00 liters was carried out alongside distribution of 190.905.00 liters for generators at government institutions. During January-October 2008 38.167.90 liters of fuel for 193.090 kilometers made were used. Since April 2008, as part of the UA implementation for use of vehicles, there was a decrease in the use of fuel in the amount of 3000 euro a month, and 30,000 liters of fuel were saved in the course of ten months. One thousand ID cards for government employees were produced.

During this period a number of contracts as part of residential accommodation were signed: this includes renovation of space of former Urata building (in the value of 297,219 euro), the Railway Station with three levels (in the value of 304,015 euro), Railway building, ground floor (in the value of 111,615 euro), Kishnica building (in the value of 51,960 euro), Student Cafeteria (in the value of 615, 000 euro).

Projects signed in 2008 and that will continue in the coming years, included in the 2009 budget, are: Rilindja Palace (in the amount of 14,694,453 euro) and erection of Academy of Arts and Sciences building (in the about of 5, 997,272 euro). The projects that deal with e-Government for which contracts were signed in 2008 are: online modules for registration and licensing of businesses (in the value of 128,000 euro) and application for registration of vehicles and drivers licenses (in the value of 299,993 euro), network monitoring (Government, in the value of 76,000 euro), development of Governmental portal (in the value of 279,000 euro) and projects that will continue in the coming years for which contracts were signed are: The development center (in the value of 412, 094 euro) and expansion of government network (in the value of 445, 738 euro). Besides these, contracts were signed between MPS and PTK for land lines (Centrex) at the Government level. This contract has started implementing in a retroactive manner since 1 January 2008 and as such it serves further rationalization of the Kosovo budget.

19.12 European Integration, human rights and monitoring of official languages

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Logical frameworks for projects have been drafted and applications for funding from pre-accession instrument have been submitted in the field of Public Administration Reform, Statistics and information technology. As part of the European prospective draft laws for symbols, official invitations and state domain have been analyzed. During this period an agreement with the institution of Kosovo Ombudsperson has been accomplished. An information newsletter (brochure) was human rights was drafted and published in cooperation with OSCE.

There were 10, 442 requests evidenced at the institutions of central administration for translation of documents, from them 10,099 were translated, whereas 243 documents are expected to be translated. From 2,503 requests for simultaneous translation 2, 264 were deal with. During January-June 2008 357 laws and other legal acts were translated in 3 languages: Albanian, Serbian and English.

19.3 Capacity building –training The Ministry of Public Services, as part of general capacity building for civil servants in Government institutions, has organized the following trainings, seminars, study visits:

MPS/IKAP has carried out 32 short-term trainings and 6 long term courses in these fields: general management, human resources, legislation and finance (Public Investment Program, phase 2), general administration and municipal issues. Half of the trainings and courses had new programs. Based on the data collected so far 336 days of trainings were conducted and 1837 persons were involved, whereas 1972 participants were certified.

The program for public investments, second phase (PIP2), was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). There were 19 training course held within 71 days and 362 participants received training.

203

The pilot project distance learning was accomplished jointly with the American Treasury office at the MEF, where the first training in distance learning took place through learning with CDs. On this occasion 18 participants were certified in formulating the budget. Various training in the field of statistics and personal were conducted and those enabled the creation of satisfactory capacities in development of research and independent activities independent of international assistance. As a result of experience gained in these trainings the Kosovo Statistics Institute is now independent in many important statistical fields.

MPS/IKAP has conducted training in the following fields: Strategic planning and policy drafting, leadership and management, evolution of trainings, management education and training in public administration and local government, protocol and public appearance, implementation and evolution of laws, creation of public policies, egovernment and basic training in European issues.

As part of international activities MPS continues cooperation with the Slovenian Center for European Prospective (CEP). As a result a number of trainings were conducted: one in e-Government and management of government buildings (held in Slovenia) and the other in the filed of protocol and public appearance (held in Prishtina).

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20. LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Ministry of Public Services has completed the annual plan in all key fields that were oriented in accomplishing the mission, aims and concrete duties in the field of local legislation, local government and oversight of municipal institutions, beginning of implementation of reform of local government, European integration, promotion and local economy development and increase of institutional capacity in the municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo. During this time Ministry of Local Government has applied ways of direct communication with municipal structures: Minister’s field visits, regular meetings with mayors, sartorial meetings with municipal managers. The purpose of these activities is in line with full implementation of law by municipal organs and improvement of quality of services for citizens in municipalities.

20.1 Local Government Reform - Decentralization The principles of Local Government Reform were prepared in line with good governance standards, democracy, transparency and the rule of law. These principles reflect prevailing values of most relevant international documents in this filed, in particular the principle of subsidiary of the European Union and the principles of the European Charter for Local Self-government. In order to exchange experiences in the field of local self-governance an international conference on “Local Government” was organized.

20.2 Action plan for decentralization An action plan for decentralization was drafted (2008-2011). This plan reflects the strategic aim of the Kosovo Government to create a sound and effective system of self-

205

governance which will secure better living conditions for all citizens with particular attention for the needs of minorities in Kosovo. The action plan for decentralization was approved by the government and based on this plan an Inter-ministerial Group and 5 sub-working groups for Decentralization were formed: The sub-group of legislation reform, the Sub-group for transfer of competences and resources, the Sub-group for the establishment of new municipalities; the sub-group for capacity building and coordination with donors and the sub-group for decentralization information campaign. In connection with this the Ministry of Local Government has coordinated all the activities of the decentralization groups and the sub-groups for implementation of this plan. At the same time it is the government’s responsible body for coordination of policies in the implementation of decentralization process in the Republic of Kosovo, with duties and responsibilities assigned by the Government’s Decision.

The

Ministry

of

Local

Government

heads

the

Inter-ministerial

Group

for

Decentralization, which discusses and approves programs and projects for further development of the decentralization process and consolidation of self-local governance in fulfilling the following objectives:

¾ Legislation reform for local self-governance; ¾ Establishment of new municipalities; ¾ Transfer of competences and resources; and ¾ Increase and development of capacities in municipalities.

20.3 The sub-group for the establishment of new municipalities The objective of this sub-group is to oversee and manage creation of 5+1 new municipalities with a Serb majority, as proposed in the Comprehensive Proposal for the resolution of Kosovo Status (Ahtisaari Document). The group for the establishment of municipalities is working in analyzing the cost for establishing new municipalities and in the fourth meeting of the IMDG it presented the

206

document called “Guidelines / Description of Duties for Establishment of Municipal Prep- teams and New Municipalities,” which was approved by the IMDG on 11 September 2008. It has bee envisaged that until organization of local elections at the end of 2009 Municipal Prep-teams be established and their main duty will be to finalize all activities in order to secure preconditions for the establishment of new municipalities so they could be ready to be managed by elected municipal leaders immediately after new local elections.

Initially, MLG and ZCN have established a Special Team for Field Action (STFA) composed of 5 MLG representatives and three representatives from ZCN. This team has visited mother municipalities in order to present plans for the establishment of EPK, municipal mayors and members of minorities.

The Working Group for Transfer of Competences and Resources This group has prepared the final document that lists all competences of central and local level and the list of competences that will transfer from central to local level. In a meeting with mayors held on 6 October 2008, transfer of competences in education, road security and local transportation were finalized. A commission for appointment of police officers was established in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Local, municipal and regional commanders for police stations were finalized. It is the obligation of municipalities now to finance the archives. As far as public services and public enterprises are concerned this has been solved since the competences for public service have been included in the law on local self-government. A focus group for drafting an Administrative Instruction for municipal public enterprises, which under the new law are part of municipal competences, has been established. Jointly with the Ministry of Work and Social Welfare (MWSW) preparations were made for the transfer of competences from this ministry to municipalities in the field of social services. Similar focus groups were formed for culture, health, registration of businesses and they will deal with making competences concrete and their transfer from central to local level.

207

20.4 Working group for increase of capacities and coordination with donors

This group functions with three other sub-focus groups: Sub-group for increase of capacities; sub-group for infrastructure; working sub-group for coordination with donors.

The work of this group is divided in three components: existing municipalities, pilot unit municipalities and new municipalities EPK.

A basic document for the increase of capacities in EPK was prepared with terms of reference for anticipated trainings. Likewise, two web portals were installed at the website of the MLG for collecting information from those who offer training in Kosovo municipalities, and the web-portal for information for all civil servants in municipalities. Fifteen municipalities have already entered data in these web pages.

20.5 Working group for information campaign

This group will organize an information campaign in municipalities of Kosovo in order to provide correct information for the Kosovo citizens about the decentralization process and local government reform. During this campaign the process of local government reform, territorial organization of municipalities, establishment of new municipalities and drafting and approval of legislative framework for decentralization (in line with Ahtisaari’s proposal and European Charter) will be promoted.

To date this group has prepared and launched TV spots about the process under the slogan “Your municipality, your decision.” The launching of these spots has started in October in Kosovo Radio and Television (RTK). The first debated were held in Gjilan and Kamenica/Dardana; participating in these debates were Kosovo Prime Minister and head of ZCN, and the Minister of Local Government.

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20.6 Drafting of legislation in the field of local government During the reporting period the work of the Ministry in the field of legislation was focused in two principal directions: drafting of primary and secondary legislation connected to local governance, which results from the Comprehensive Document for the Kosovo Status (President Ahtisaari’s Document) and drafting of secondary legislation (legal acts, concrete administrative instructions) in order to illustrate the primary legislation, strengthen rule of law and increase efficiency in municipalities based on changes in the system of local government in Kosovo, based on the regulation on selfgovernment in Kosovo municipalities and the Law on Local Self-government; provide counseling and legal recommendations for municipalities.

During the reporting period MLG has enlarged the legal infrastructure while sponsoring 7 draft laws and in order to implement the primary legislation MLG has drafted 7 administrative instructions. In close cooperation with MEF, an instruction for payment of political staff in municipalities and an administrative instruction for the procedure of electing heads of board in local public enterprises have been drafted.

In accomplishing the reform process MLG has undertaken the following activities in support of municipalities in this process. MLG, while taking into consideration the good practices of local government in Western countries, as well as latest changes made to the legislation for local self-governance: drafting and distribution of Model Statute and Guide to municipal statutes to municipalities.

A newsletter for explaining the legal procedure for changing municipal bylaws, as well as a newsletter for use of logos of the Republic of Kosovo in municipalities, was drafted. Laws that are in conflict with the legislation on local self-government were identified.

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20.7 Local governance Drafting of documents and analysis in the field of local governance While taking into account the changes in the local government system, based on Regulation 2007/30 for changing Regulation 2000/45 for self-administration of municipalities, MLG has drafted “Guide for new organization and structure in municipalities”. In relation to Regulation 2007/30 a document that identifies legal deficiencies in Regulation 2007/30 for revision of Regulation 2000/45 on Selfgovernance in Kosovo Municipalities.

MLG has drafted the Manual for standardizing official letter so Kosovo municipalities would have unique letter and forms in official use in order to fulfill the rights and interests of persons addressing the municipalities. An analytical document dealing with the legislation in the field of cadastre has been drafted. The document deals with the operation of cadastral offices in municipalities, registration procedure in cadastral books as well authorizations and responsibilities of the Cadastral Agency of Kosovo in relation to cadastral offices in municipalities.

Based on changes in the legislation field of local governance once the law on local selfgovernance goes into effect a document with explanations about the changes dealing with organization and function of local self-governance pursuant to Law on Local Government, has been drafted. In connection with this a handbook on the law on local self-governance; the reform document as well as the document on the concepts of decentralization were prepared; a document on strategic orientation of MLG for the implementation of local government reform and advancement of local governance which will help define directions for advancement of local self-government; The Function of Municipal Assemblies; the efficiency of administration and respect of human rights at local level and the capital of local finances. An analytical document that

210

deals with the justification of units for human rights at local government level was drafted; the chapter of public expenses for local government has been drafted – this is part of the mid-term framework of expenses. An analytical document on competences exercised by PNJK so far and competences that need to be transferred from mother municipalities. A document dealing with the principals and criteria for establishment of new municipalities has been drafted. A brochure dealing with information of citizens in municipalities on EU structures and integration has been published; a document listing all competences at the central level and competences dealing with municipalities has been prepared; a document dealing with municipality actions in implementing LVL has been drafted and revised constantly; A project for designing and redesigning the Monitoring system for appointment of MLG officials in key centers of the Republic of Kosovo has been drafted; Drafting of the document on municipal public services; drafting of the document on Regional Development Agencies (RDA); a document on legal obligation for the first six months after the Law on Local Government goes into effect has been drafted; likewise, in order to help municipalities a handbook of legal activities that touch upon competences of municipalities – Volume II has been published; jointly with EMI/USAID project a document called “The mechanism for overseeing implementation of laws in municipalities” has been prepared.

20.8 Monitoring municipal activities In order to monitoring and oversee municipalities the MLG has participates in inauguration sessions, regular and special sessions of the municipal assemblies in the Republic of Kosovo. During the reporting period the efficiency of municipal administration was monitored also; this dealt with placing cases in administrative procedure at the first level, placing cases in administrative procedure based on official duty and placement of cases in administrative procedure based on complaints.

During this period 163 sessions were monitored in municipal assemblies (out of 291 sessions that were held altogether).

211

In order to meet legal demands concerning oversight of municipalities and evaluation of legality of municipal acts so far evaluations of 23 municipal statuses have been evaluated and they result to be in harmony with the local self-government legislation. 20.9 Local finances As part of the local finance aspect; a report on municipal expenses and income for the period January-June 2008 has been put together.

MLG likewise has prepared the 2009-2011 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for its budget, and this includes the budget of 5+1 municipalities and PM. Additional work has been done in the revision of new municipality costs that result from Ahtisaari-5+1, as well as three pilot municipalities (PM) while making new calculations for the period 2009-2011. During 2008, during this period MLG has invested in 78 projects in municipalities, the total value reaches 4. 821. 470, 00 €.

20.10 Increase of professional capacities in municipalities Jointly with the Association of Kosovo Municipalities and in order to support municipalities and inform them with the changes made in the organization and function of local government, Regulation 2007/27 and 2007/30, we organized training of members of municipal assemblies, mayors and directors of municipal directories.

After the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo came into effect and jointly with USAID/EMI, according to the agenda prepared by MLG for training members of municipal assemblies and mayors; regional training on changes made to the Law on Local Self-government as opposed to Regulation 2007/30, principles and organization of local governance according to the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and the obligations resulting from LVL and that need to be included in the municipal bylaws, were organized.

212

A support project for training and professional development of units dealing with the functioning of units for human rights, created based on UA for the establishment of units dealing with human rights. Based on the agenda during this period 18 training sessions were held. Their purpose was to develop professional capacities in the field of human rights for officials working in municipal units for human rights.

20.11 Promotion of human rights at local government In order to promote human rights at local government level MLG, based on Administrative Instruction for the establishment of human rights units, has worked closely with municipalities and supported 26 human rights units created in 26 municipalities. MLG has continuously monitored respect of official languages, gender equality and other issues included in the international covenants for human rights in municipalities.

20.12 Evaluation of performance in municipalities Implementation of a project for performance evaluation in municipalities has started jointly with USAID/EMI. A joint working group made up of municipalities and the Association of Kosovo Municipalities in order to identify some of the initial fields for laying the indicators for performance evaluation has been created. During the first round of identification of fields for performance evaluation in municipalities four fields were identified: municipal administrative services public transportation; water and garbage.

20.13 Action Plan for European Partnership (APEP) MLG has given its contribution in finalizing PVPE. Also, as part of Europe Day celebration on 9 May 2008, the MLG was a member of the inter-ministerial working for organizing the Europe Day in Prishtina and organized a meeting with the mayors on the occasion of Europe Day on 9 May 2008. The MLG / DIE have printed a brochure on Europe Day.

213

20.14 Coordination of meetings for Standards 3 and 4 One of the key issues since 2006, as part of MLG activities the MLG, was coordination of activities of the Working Group for Standards 3 and 4 – “Stable return” and “Freedom of Movement”. The MALG has organized 3 meetings for Standards 3 and 4 and on 27 March 2008 MALG organized the last meeting on these Standards. In this meeting the responsibility for organizing and coordinating these activities was transferred to the Ministry of Return and Communities. All minutes from meetings organized in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were passed to the MRC. At the same time, MLG passed the technical evaluations on Standards for this period.

20.15 Budget and Finances The budget of the Ministry of Administration and Local Government for 2008 is 7,733,404.00€. From this sum 1,456,071.00 was not made available because the Ministry of Economy and Finance did not approve of since these funds were dedicated for cofunding of IPA 2007, a program of the European Commission. During this period the MALG had in its disposal a budget of 6, 277,333. 00 €. Until 19.12.2008, MALG spent 5, 297, 438. 20 €.

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21. RETURN The role of the Ministry of Communities and Return is to promote creation of conditions for return and to secure an approach to return based on rights.

Besides, the Ministry of Communities and Return secures building trust in activities based

on

dialogue

and

reconciliation

between

communities

and

supports

implementation of these activities. It develops and implements the government strategy for supporting communities and return and supports development and implementation of these strategies in all municipalities.

It develops and manages programs and mechanisms to support integration on equal basis of all communities and their members who presently live in Kosovo, and helps secure stable return of displaced persons and refugees. It ensures that central and local government policies encompass dispositions for the protection of rights of minorities, human rights and interests of the returnees, including freedom of movement, use of languages, freedom of expression, education, employment and equal access to justice, accommodation and municipal public services.

It oversees and supports municipal projects for treatment of minority issues and return, including the work of commissions for mediation, minority commissions, municipal offices for minorities and development and implementation of municipal strategies of return. It coordinates with other ministries, municipalities and other authority actions which lead to settlement of migration and other humanitarian issues for minorities and their members.

Coordinates

with

ministries,

municipalities

and

other

authority

implementation of human rights strategy in order to secure promotion and defense of rights of all minorities, the displaced ones and those that have returned, while paying

215

special attention to the needs of women, children, elderly people and other sensitive groups.

Helps develop and implement measures in the public information field ands other promotional projects for raising public awareness dealing with minority rights and interests and their members, including their right to return.

Based on these principles the Ministry of Communities and Return ensures economic and social stability for the returnees and the minorities in general and supports 4 basic conditions for ensuring stable return as defined in the revised Handbook for Stable Return, such as: security and freedom of movement; access to public services (municipal services, social services, education and health care); access to accommodation (e.g. through successful restoration of ownership, or support in building a house, when needed); and economic fulfillment through equal access to employment opportunities.

The Ministry of Communities and Return gives special importance to inter-ethnic dialogue and minority activities for stable return. The return projects undertaken by the Ministry of Communities and Return in 2008 aimed at including specific activities which lead to inter-ethnic dialogue, tolerance and inter-ethnic understanding.

The Ministry of Communities and Return priority is: first, to offer timely instruction s and support on the policy of return process, support about the general policy and framework of municipalities and ministries and promote creation of favorable conditions for return and ensure access to return based on their right to return; second, to monitor and cooperate with the Ministry of Administration and Local Government when needed; implementation of return process, general policies and framework for municipalities and ministries in order to ensure access to return based on the right to return and bottom-up access in all aspects; third, to develop effective capacities to take over the duties of secretariat for central appeals mechanism, the steering group and other coordinating government initiatives for return and integration; fourth, in cooperation with the Ministry of Administration and Local Government offer a platform

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by which local municipal officials of return exchange best experiences and improve organization.

21.1 Return Process of an economic sustainability The Ministry of Communities and Return has been actively involved in preparing regular meetings for municipal working groups as well as continuation of SPARK project for individual return process. The Ministry of Communities and Return has managed to gather statistical data from municipal officers on the process of return and economic sustainability on regular basis. The office for projects has monitored implementation of projects that aimed a stable return and development of minorities in Kosovo.

21.2 Organized return In order to create a tolerant environment, non-discriminative where all citizens are equal, and in order to create conditions for return, the Ministry has arranged and monitored three capital projects for organized return, and those are:

The “Llaplje Selo” project in Prishtina municipality, MKK decided to build three collective buildings with 60 apartments, with necessary infrastructure for 60 families of Serb minority. Implementation of this project is being monitored on regular basis by the officials of the Ministry on Communities and Return.

The “Kllobukar” project in Novoberda/Artana municipality, the MKK has planned erection of 18 homes for displaced persons of Serb minority and 3 homes for social cases from Albanian community, with necessary infrastructure including the erection of a house of culture, and road reconstruction.

The

partner

in

the

implementing

of

this

project

is

the

municipality

of

Novoberda/Artana. During the implementation phase, the MKK, in cooperation with municipal officials from Novoberda/Artana officials from the Novoberda/Artana

217

municipality and the Kosovo Police have organized visits of 13 displaced persons in order to inform them of the project implementation process. It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Communities and Return, in cooperation with the UNDP, has supported SPARK 012 project – at Klinavac in the Municipality of Klina, phase 2, which aims at erecting a building for all communities, where various sports, cultural, and inter-ethic dialogue activities will be organized.

Likewise, on 04.09.2008, a number of consultations with the senior officials of the Ministry of Communities and Return were carried out in connection with the review of the Concept Document submitted for “Zhegra” project in Gjilan Municipality. The purpose of the project is the erection of a building in municipal property in Budriga village, in order to improve living conditions for the displaced persons from this area.

21.3 Individual Return There are 20 requests for individual return and 3 requests for socio-economic support made to the MKK, the total number of requests together with those submitted last year reached 78. In order to inform people in the field based on the criteria defined by UNDP and in line with the Handbook for Stable Return, it has been decided: Selected cases – 4 cases; Awaiting evaluation – 18 cases; No contact has been made – 15 cases; Refused (Did not meet the criteria) – 41 cases.

In order to contribute to the stable individual return atmosphere, the following activities have been undertaken: erection of a Ballon Hall in Graqanica, planning and implementation of visits on the field in places where erection of individual homes has been planned for families that have returned, such as Rabovc village in Lipjan Municipality; erection of a single home for a returning family of Serb minority was planned and implemented. Visits were also carried out in Plemetin village of Obliq/Kastriot Municipality; works on erection of sewage system were finalized.

218

It is worth mentioning that among requests for support submitted by persons displaced in North Mitrovica, there were 4 visits out of 9 requests submitted to MKK, for support in building homes at “Doctors” quarter in North Mitrovica. Visits in full cooperation with the UNDP representatives, municipal officials of Mitrovica municipality were carried out and these 4 visits were supplemented by comments from the field and those will be submitted to the appeals commission.

Also, we have requests for individual return that seek building of homes for displaced persons in Vushtrri Municipality, respectfully Grace village – there are 2 requests for individual return. The FINAC Commission, also composed of representatives from the Ministry of Communities and Return, UNDP, UNHCR, OCRM play a constructive role.

A meeting of FINAC Commission was held on 29.10.2008. The aim of the meeting was stable partnership in support of return process in Kosovo, where participants discussed 7 requests for individual return in Zivinjan village. The FINAC Commission also presented 31 requests for individual return and adaptation of building handed over to the 31 families that have returned and it selected 18 cases, 7 cases are on the waiting list, 2 cases are to be reviewed by the Board, whereas 4 cases were refused under the justification that they do not fill the criteria.

21.4 “SUTRA+” project (tomorrow) This 3 year project is financed by the European Union and it aims at erecting 200 buildings for those who decide to return, alongside other accompanying socio-economic infrastructure. This project will be managed and monitored by the Ministry for Communities and Return and the support will go to those municipalities which will be selected as a priority based on their previous projects for individual return and the Ministry will implement the database.

In joint meetings that were held between UNDP and MKK, it was decided that municipalities that have priority and that will benefit from this project in 2008 are: Peja,

219

Istog/Burim, Gjilan, and Fushe Kosova Municipality; whereas in 2009: Prishtina, Klina, and Ferizaj Municipalities will implement “SUTRA+” project.

21.5 Municipal working groups The Ministry of Communities and Return has co-sponsored over 70 meetings of municipal working groups, in the following Municipalities: Klina, Prizren, Gjilan, Fushe Kosova, Peja, Podujeva/Besiana, Kamenica/Dardana, Ferizaj, Novoberda/Artana, Lipjan, Viti, Vushtrri, Dragash, Istog/Burim, Suhareka/Theranda, Mitrovica, Prishtina, and Obiliq/Kastriot.

The purpose of such meetings was to discuss organized and individual cases of return. In 2008, with the support of the European Agency of Reconstruction (AER), different training sessions were organized with the purpose of increasing working capacities within the Ministry of Communities and Return. As part of this support from AER, trainings were organized in the fields of project management, operational planning for the year that follows.

21.6 Development and Integration of minorities in Kosovo An Action Plan for 2008 has been drafted, and based on this, activities which will contribute to the process of return, reintegration, sustainability and return of property in line with strategy for human rights were defined. As part of this plan, Municipalities were given certain responsibilities for development and implementation of municipal strategies for return and integration of minorities. Also, the Ministry for Communities and Return has been engaged in examining prioritization of requests for return, together with legitimate criteria established for individual return and it is directly responsible for reference evaluation approval and securing support.

220

In order to promote, stabilize, and reintegrate communities, sustainable return, sustainable economic empowerment, and promotion of dialogue among communities, MKK has earmarked funds in the amount of 2 million euro for this purpose.

The categories that benefit from these projects are: individual projects, NGO projects, infrastructure projects. From 24 October 2008, when the announcement was republished for these projects by the Ministry of Communities and Return, we have had: ¾ 124 applications of NGO projects ¾ 230 applications of individual projects ¾ 34 applications of infrastructural projects The Commission of this Ministry has reviewed and evaluated all projects submitted to MKK.

The total value of applications is: ¾ NGO projects – 6,724, 508,00 euro ¾ Individual projects – 5,032, 121,00 euro ¾ Infrastructural projects – 3, 700,612,00 euro

The total amount of projects reaches 15, 457, 241, 00 euro The selected projects based on categories are: ¾ Amount – 799,390,92 euro ¾ 58 Individual projects, amount – 799,975,75 euro ¾ 9 Infrastructural projects, amount – 399,587,53 euro

21.7 Legal Activities One of the key activities of the Ministry of Communities and Return has been drafting the Draft Law on the Rights of Minorities in Kosovo. The Ministry of Communities and Return, based on its mandate, has offered legal counseling, recommendations, guidance, and thoughts to units and officials within the Ministry.

221

Officials of the Ministry of Communities and Return have actively participated in the meetings of Governmental groups dealing with the reform of public administration, the drafting of laws that results from Ahtisaari Plan, etc.

22. Kosovo Security Force (FSK) After the declaration of Kosovo’s independence and the start of implementation of “President Ahtisaari’s Plan”, approval of the Republic of Kosovo Constitution, approval of Law on the Establishment of the Ministry of Kosovo Security Force (MKSF) and the Law on Kosovo Security Force (KSF) on 15 June 2008, the constitutional and legal bases for the establishment of MKSF and KSF was created. This gets continuous support from Ministerial Advisory Council (MAC) headed by NATO. This cooperation is an indication of good relations this ministry has with counterpart international institutions.

22.1 Legal field The legislative base for the MKSF has been created. Following regulations have been adopted: Regulation on MKSF Recruitment, Regulation on Carrying and Use of Weapons; Regulation on Uniforms and Personal Appearance; Regulation on Emblems and Symbols; Regulation of Vacation and Disciplinary Code of the KSF.

22.2 International relations During the period of the work of the ministry cooperation with manifold international organizations, NATO and its senior officers in particular, NATO’s deputy-commander for Europe, NATO’s Supreme Commander, and NATO’s commander for the Balkan regions, has continued.

Cooperation and coordination relations with KFOR have been kept. NATO’s support made it possible for KSF to be created according to NATO’s principles and standards from the start.

222

22.3 Establishment of Kosovo Security Force KSF Uniforms and Emblems The emblems of the KSF (Flag of the Republic of Kosovo), rank emblems, emblems of berets and signs of KSF units have already been approved and samples have been received.

22.4 Training of KSF In absence of a KSF Training Center (the work of the Training Center in Ferizaj continues) an agreement has been reached between the Ministry of KSF and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which was finalized with a “Memorandum of Understanding,” will enable members of KSF to use the Center for Kosovo Police Training in Vushtrri, from 3 to 6 months.

22.5 Challenges In its daily activities in increasing capacities the ministry will face a key challenge and that is lack of needed space for the ministry and recruitment of needed personnel. Erection of KSF and erection of National Training Center in Ferizaj will also be challenging, this lead to the agreement with the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the use of the Training Center in Vushtrri.

We think that the financial reports in the attachment, including reports for the year we just passed, 31 December 2008, were prepared based on International Accounting Standards for the Public Sector “Financial Reporting based on Accounting based on

223

cash”, fulfill all reporting obligations that result from the Law on Management and Responsibility of Public Finances No. 03/L-048 and were based on financial data kept in a regular manner. This statement is given in connection with presentation of financial reports of the Consolidated Kosovo Budget, the budgetary organization for last year which ended on 31 December 2008. We confirm, to our best knowledge and trust, that: There was not misuse by the leadership or the employees which could have had a material effect in financial reports.

The information provided and presented in financial reports that deal with the identification of funds and expenses connected to the Kosovo Consolidated Budget are complete and accurate. The information dealing with income generation is accurate.

There is no other bank account at KNB besides the accounts specified in the financial reports and this specification if complete and accurate as of date 31 December 2008.

There has been no violation of requests for regulatory authorities what could have had a material effect in financial reports, in case there was violation.

There is no (legal) complaint underway which could have a material effect on financial reports. All duties, the existing and contingent, and all guarantees that we have given to other parties have been registered and / or presented in a correct form.

All debts towards outside parties have been registered and /or presented, based on circumstances.

There was no transaction after the end of reporting period which would require correction of presentation of financial reports or their notes.

224

Municipalities should send their reports to the Municipal Assembly Commission on the Budget and Finances.

Annexes:

1.

The list of approved laws

2.

Budget report

225

1.

The list of approved laws

No.

Name of draft-law

1.

Draft-law on the Benefits of Senior Officials (ZKM) Draft-law on Supplementing and Amending Provisional Penal Code on Kosovo (MD) Draft Law on Supplementing and Amending Provisional Code on Penal Procedure (MD) Law on Amending and Supplementing Law on Farmer Cooperatives No. 2003/99 (MBPZHR) Draft Law on Civilian use of Explosives (MPB)

2.

3.

4.

5.

6. 7.

8. 9.

Law on Food (MD)

Date sent to Kosovo Assembly 24.01.2008

Date of first approval (I).

Date of second approval (II).

26.02.2008

19.06.2008

22 January 2008

24.01.2007

26.02.2008

07.11.2008

22 January 2008

24.01.2008

26.02.2008

04.04.2008

22 January 2008

24.01.2008

26.02.2008

04.04.2008

22 January 2008

24.01.2008

26.02.2008

16.05.2008

Date of approval at the Kosovo Government 22 January 2008

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

Law on Energy Efficiency (MEM)

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

Law on Prevention of Money Laundering (MEF)

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

26.02.2008

Law on Building Land, Privatization and Lease of Building Land (ZKM)

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

26.02.2008

10. Law on Free Industrial Areas (MMPH)

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

11. 17 January 2008

29.01.2008

Law on Notary (MD)

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

Law on State Support (MEF)

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

Law on VAT (MEF) 12. 13.

Off the agenda with the request of e MEM

Withdrawn from Assembly with MMPH Off the agenda with MEF request

26.02.2008 Off the

226

agenda with MRF request

14.

15.

16.

17.

18. 19.

20. 21.

22. 23 24. 25. 26.

Law on Supplementing and Amending Law 2002/9 on Work Inspectorate (MPMS) Law on Amending and Supplementing Law nr, 2003/16 for Social Scheme in Kosovo (MPMS) Law on Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Handicapped Persons (MPMS) Law on Sale of Apartments that have the Right of Property (MMPH) Law on Genetically Modified Organisms (MBPZHR) Law on Material Support for Families of Permanently Handicapped Children (MPMS) Law on Evaluating Impact on Environment (MMPH) Law on Strategic Evaluation of Environment MMPH Law on Non-contest Procedure MD Law on Contest Procedure MD Law on Executive Procedure MD Law on Agricultural Inspection (MBPZHR) Law on Final Exam and Maturity Exam (MASHT)

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

27.02.2008

17 January 2008 29.01.2008

27.02.2008

17 January 2008 29.01.2008

28.02.2008

29.01.2008

28.02.2008

29.01.2008

28.02.2008

29.01.2008

28.02.2008

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

28.02.2008

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

28.02.2008

29.01.2008

27.02.2008

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

27.02.2008

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

27.02.2008

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

29.02.2008

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

18.12.2008

17 January 2008

17 January 2008 17 January 2008

17 January 2008

29.02.2008

27.

Law on Protection of Environment (MMPH)

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

29.02.2008

28.

Law on Amending and 17 January 2008 Supplementing Law No. 02/L-5 for Support of Small and Medium

29.01.2008

29.02.2008

16.05.2008 30.06.2008 16.05.2008 20.11.2008

07.11.2008

227

Enterprises (MTI) 29.

Law on Supplementing and 17 January 2008 Amending the Law on Execution of Criminal Sanctions, proclaimed with UNMIK Regulation No. 2004/46, of the date 19 November 2004 (MD)

29.01.2008

29.02.2008

30.

Law on Settlement Tax (MSHP)

17 January 2008

29.01.2008

29.02.2008

31

Law on Declaration of Source of 17 January 2008 Wealth of Senior Public Officials (ZKM) Draft Law on Products for 27.02.2008 Protection of Plants (MBPZHR)

29.01.2008

27.02.2008

10.03.2008

28.03.2008

32

36.

Draft Law on Integrated 27.02.2008 Prevention and Control of Pollution (MMPH) 13.03.2008 Draft Law on Private Security (MPB) Draft Law on the Seals of the 13.03.2008 Republic of Kosovo Institutions (MSHP) Draft Law on Mediation (MD) 20.03.2008

37.

33

34

35

29.04.2008

07.11.2008 10.03.2008

28.03.2008

20.03.2008

04.04.2008

20.03.2008

04.04.2008

07.11.2008 Returned to government 30.07.2008

28.03.2008

17.04.2008

Draft Law on Culture, Youth and 20.03.2008 Sports Sponsorship (MKRS)

28.03.2008

17.04.2008

28.03.2008

17.04.2008

14.05.2008

02.06.2008

39.

Draft Law on National Ensemble 20.03.2008 of Songs and Dance “Shota” and other Ensembles (MKRS) Draft Law on Official Statistics of 10.04.2008 the Republic of Kosovo (MSHP)

15.07.2008 Returned to government

40

Draft Labor Law (MPMS)

17.04.2008

14.05.2008

02.06.2008

15.07.2008 Returned to government

Draft Law on Amending and 17.04.2008 Supplementing Law of Kosovo Forests (MBPZHR) Draft Law on National 24.04.2008

14.04.2008

16.05.2008

30.04.2008

16.05.2008

38.

41. 42.

18.09.2008 30.06.2008 (Returned to government) 07.11.2008

07.11.2008

228

43

44

45.

46 47

48

49

50

51

52.

53.

54.

Qualifications (MKRS) Draft Law on Supplementing and 06.05.2008 Amending Law on Accreditation (MTI) Draft Law on Weapons (MPB) 06.05.2008

Draft Law on Supplementing and Amending Law on Tax Administration and Procedures (MEF) Draft Law on Empowerment and Participation of Youth (MKRS) Draft Law on Supplementing and Amending Law No. 2003/7 for Archive Materials and Archives (ZKM) Draft Law on Public – Private Partnership and Concessions (MEF) Draft Law on Amending and Supplementing Law No. 02/L-20 on Technical Requirements for Products and Evaluation of Conformity (MTI) Draft Law on Use, Administration and Maintenance of Buildings in Co-ownership (MMPH) Draft Law on Supplementing and Amending Law No. 03/L-088 on Kosovo Consolidated Budget and Authorized Expenses for the period 1 January – 31 December 2008 Draft Law on the President of the Republic of Kosovo (ZKM)

06.05.2008

26.05.2008

30.06.2008 20.11.2008

26.05.2008

19.06.2008

26.05.2008

30.06.2008

25.09.2008 Returned to government for revision 04.12.2008

30.05.2008

10.06.2008

30.06.2008

30.05.2008

10.06.2008

30.06.2008 07.11.2008

03.07.2008

08.07.2008

30.07.2008

03.07.2008

15.07.2008

18.09.2008

03.07.2008

17.07.2008

18.09.2008

16.07.2008

18.07.2008

29.07.2008 30.07.2008

09.07.2008

28.07.2008

18.09.2008

Draft Law on the Granting of 27.08.2008 Gratitude and Awards by the President of the Republic of Kosovo (ZKM) Draft Law for Anti-dumping 10.09.2008 Measures (MTI)

02.09.2008

25.09.2008 Returned to government for revision

18.10.2008 Returned to government for revision

18.09.2008

229

55.

Draft Law on Agriculture and 17.09.2008 Rural Development (MBPZHR) Draft Law on Establishment of 25.09.2008 Department of Forensics (MD)

25.09.2008

07.11.2008

06.10.2008

07.11.2008

57.

Draft Law on Pardoning (MD)

25.09.2008

06.10.2008

07.11.2008

58.

Draft Law on Financial Leasing 02.10.2008 (MEF) Draft Law on Pensions for 02.10.2008 Members of KPC (MFSK-MPMS) Draft Law on Protection Against 08.10.2008

06.10.2008

07.11.2008

06.10.2008

10.10.2008

10.11.2008

20.11.2008

03.11.2008

05.11.2008

21.11.2008

31.10.2008

19.11.2008

21.11.2008

31.10.2008

19.11.2008

21.11.2008

31.10.2008

19.11.2008

21.11.2008

31.10.2008

19.11.2008

21.11.2008

13.11.2008

19.11.2008

21.11.2008

56.

59. 60.

07.11.2008 Returned to government for revision

10.10.2008

Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation and Nuclear Safety 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69.

(MMPH) Draft Law on Annual Budget for 2009 Draft Law on the Level of Excise in Kosovo (MEF) Draft Law on Individual Income Tax (MEF) Draft Law on Value Added Tax (MEF) Draft Law on Corporate Income Tax (MEF) Draft Law on Biocide Products (MMPH) Draft Law on Economic Zones (MTI) Draft Law on Natural Gas (MMPH) Draft Law on the State Protocol of the Republic of Kosovo (ZKM)

18.12.2008 18.12.2008 18.12.2008 18.12.2008 18.12.2008

03.12.2008 03.12.2008 03.12.2008

230

Law resulting form Marti Ahtisaari’s Comprehensive Document No.

1. 2.

Name of Drat Law

Law on Kosovo Statehood (MSHP) Draft Law on Municipal Boundaries (MAPL)

Date of approval at the Kosovo Government 18.02.2008

Date sent to Kosovo Assembly 19.02.2008

Date of First approval (I).

Date of second approval (II).

20.02.2008

21.02.2008

18.02.2008

19.02.2008

20.02.2008

21.02.2008

19.02.2008

20.02.2008

21.02.2008

20.02.2008

21.02.2008

20.02.2008

21.02.2008

3.

Law on Diplomatic Immunity and Privileges (ZKM)

18.02.2008

4.

Law on Travel Document (MPB)

18.02.2008

5.

Law on use of Ste Symbols of Kosovo (MSHP)

18.02.2008

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

16. 17. 18.

19. 20

Law on the Establishment of Protected Zones (MMPH) Law on Police (MPB) Law on Police Inspectorate (MPB)

18.02.2008 18.02.2008 18.02.2008

19.02.2008 19.02.2008 19.02.2008 19.02.2008

20.02.2008 20.02.2008

21.02.2008 21.02.2008

19.02.2008

20.02.2008

21.02.2008

Law on Cadastral Zone (MSHP)

18.02.2008

19.02.2008

20.02.2008

21.02.2008

Law on Foreign Affairs (ZKM)

07.03,2008

11.03.2008

12.03.2008

13.03.2008

Law on Civil Aviation (MTPT)

07.03,2008

11.03.2008

12.03.2008

12.03.2008

Law on Security Force (ZKM)

07.03,2008

11.03.2008

12.03.2008

12.03.2008

Law on Ministry of Kosovo Security Force (ZKM) Law on Establishment of Security Council (ZKM) Law on EULEX Competences (MD)

07.03,2008

11.03.2008

12.03.2008

12.03.2008

07.03,2008

11.03.2008

12.03.2008

12.03.2008

07.03,2008

11.03.2008

12.03.2008

12.03.2008

Law on Special Prosecutor (MD)

07.03,2008

11.03.2008

12.03.2008

12.03.2008

Law on Public Finances (MEF)

07.03,2008

11.03.2008

12.03.2008

12.03.2008

12.03.2008

12.03.2008 12.03.2008

Law on Management of Public Finances (MEF) Law on Promotion and Protection of Communities (ZKM) Law on Integrated Management and Border Control (MPB)

11.03.2008 07.03,2008 07.03,2008

11.03.2008

12.03.2008

19.05.2008

19.05.2008

20.05.2008

21.05.2008

231

21 22 23 24

25 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

31. 32. 33. 34 35

36 37. 38

Law on Kosovo Intelligence Agency (ZKM) Law on Kosovo Privatization Agency (MEF)

21.05.2008

19.05.2008

19.05.2008

20.05.2008

15.05.2008

19.05.2008

20.05.2008

19.05.2008

19.05.2008

20.05.2008

19.05.2008

19.05.2008

20.05.2008

19.05.2008

19.05.2008

20.05.2008

23.05.2008

03.06.2008

03.06.2008

04.06.2008

05.06.2008

03,06.2008 03.06. 2008

03.06.2008 03.06.2008

04.06.2008 04.06.2008

05.06.2008 05.06.2008

03.06.2008

03.06.2008

04.06.2008

05.06.2008

03.06.2008

03.06.2008

04.06.2008

05.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

13.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

13.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

13.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

13.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

13.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

13.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

13.06.2008

Law on Public Enterprises (MEF)

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

13.06.2008

Law on Amendments and Additions to annual Budget 2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

12.06.2008

13.06.2008

Lie on Asylum (MPB) Law on Education in the Municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo (MASHT) Law on Official Holidays in the Republic of Kosovo (MSHP) Law on Kosovo Railways (MTPT) Law on General Elections (ZKM) Law on Local Elections (MAPL) Law on Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (MEF) Law on Establishment of Kosovo General Auditor’s Office and the Kosovo Office of Audit (MEF) Law on Kosovo Security Force Service (ZKM) Law on Dissolution of KPC (ZKM) Law on Independent Commission of Mining and Minerals (MEM) Law on Energy Regulator (MEM) Law on settlement of requests in connection with private immovable property, including agriculture and commercial land (MMPH) Law on Kosovo Pension Fund (MPMS) Law on Telecommunication (MTPT) Law on activities of bidders and water, sewage and garbage services (MMPH)

21.05.2008 21.05.2008

21.05.2008

13.06.2008

39

40.

232

(MEF)

41.

42.

43. 44. 45. 46. 47.

48. 49.

50.

10.11.2008

Draft Law on Amendments and Additions to Law on Spatial 06.11.2008 Planning No.2003-14 (MMPH)

07.11.2008

07.11.2008

07.11.2008

07.11.2008

07.11.2008

07.11.2008

07.11.2008

07.11.2008

12,12.2008

15.12.2008

16.12.2008

12,12.2008

15.12.2008

16.12.2008

12,12.2008

15.12.2008

16.12.2008

12,12.2008

15.12.2008

16.12.2008

12.12.2008

12,12.2008

15.12.2008

16.12.2008

Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements of Health Law 12.12.2008 (MSH)

12,12.2008

15.12.2008

16.12.2008

Draft Law on Amendments and Additions to Law on Kosovo 06.11.2008 Security Force (MFSK) Draft Law on Amendments and Additions to Law on Ministry of 06.11.2008 Kosovo Security Forces (MFSK) Draft Code on Kosovo Customs 06.11.2008 and Excise (MEF) Draft Law on Foreigners (MPB)

12.12.2008

Draft Law on Foreign Service 12.12.2008 (MPJ) Draft Law on Consular Services of Diplomatic and Consular 12.12.2008 Missions of the Republic of Kosovo (MPJ) Draft Law on Constitutional 12.12.2008 Court (MSHP)

Draft Law on the Temporary Composition of the Kosovo Judicial Council of the Republic of Kosovo (MD)

2.

10.11.2008

10.11.2008 10.11.2008

Budget Report (Financial Data) 24 December 2007

24 December, 2008

Status of registrars at SIMFK

Budget SIMFK

Status of registrars at SIMFK

Progress towards the budget

Euro

Euro

Euro

%

Progress as compared to 2007

Income Border tax – Customs

480,521,026

583,000,000

576,483,765

98.9%

19.97

233

Customs Returns

-2,168,346

-2,000,000

-457,824

22.9%

-78.89

172,859,802

204,200,000

206,863,025

101.3%

19.67

KTA Returns

-8,129,017

-11,000,000

-20,931,717

190.3%

157.49

Non-tax income – Government

63,212,110

76,400,000

90,362,247

118.3%

42.95

27,679,786

38,300,000

40,507,024

105.8%

46.34

10,659,032

0

10,267,231

0.0%

-3.68

744,634,392

888,900,000

903,093,752

101.6%

21.28

75,000,000

0

0

0.0%

-100.00

819,634,392

888,900,000

903,093,752

101.6%

10.18

206,420,842.54

234,512,500

220,323,201

93.9%

6.73

Goods and Services

132,376,715

180,514,187

147,219,831

81.6%

11.21

Municipal expenses

17,839,036.94

21,422,583

18,467,494

86.2%

3.52

Subsidies and Transfers

153,235,220

220,777,944

209,971,091

95.1%

37.03

Capital Services

157,343,594

517,115,869

334,083,048

64.6%

112.33

- Capital expenses

0

437,715,869

325,503,630

74.4%

0.00

- KEK loan

0

79,400,000

8,579,418

10.8%

0.00

667,215,408

1,174,343,082

930,064,665

79.2%

39.39

National tax - KTA

Individual income - Municipalities Grants Total income without telephony license Income from Telephone license Total income Payments Salaries and honoraria

Total payments

234

Income The income collected until 24 December 2008 reaches 903.09 milionë euro or 101% of the annual pplan, whereas compared to the same period of last year we have an increase by 10.1%, which means that we have a good performance of income generation.

¾ Tax collected by the Customs Service makes a large part of budgetary income, i.e 576.48milion euro, and were collected during the period of Januaryy - November 2008. The annual plan for this category has been met by 98.9%, and if compared to the same period last year there was an increase by 19.9%.

¾ National tax collected by the Kosovo Tax Administration reach 206.86 milion euro, or 101% of annual plan for this catogory. Compared to the same period last year there is an increase of 19.7%.

¾ Until 24 December 2008, based on requests submited, there was a taxt return in by Customs Service the amount of 0.45 million euro, and by Kosovo Tax Authority 20.93 million euro.

¾ The generated income by the central government until 24 December 2008 are in the amount of 90.36 million euro and this represents 118.3% of the budget planing for this category. Compared to the same period last year there is an increase by 42.9%. ¾ Individual municipal income collected during January - November 2008 jare in the amount of 40.50 million euro and represent 105.8% of the annual plan for this category of income. Compared to the same period of last year there is an increase of 46.3%

235

Payment (expenses) Budgetory allocations are in the amount of 1,174.34 million euro and until 24 December 2008 930.06 million euro were spent from this allocation, which represents 79.2% of total annual allocations; and this falls under the level planned in the budget.

¾ Budgetary allocations for the economic category of salaries are 234.51 million euro, until 24 December 2008, 220.32 million euro were spent, or 93.9% of the planned budget for this category.

¾ For the category of goods and services 180.51 million euro were earmarked, 147.21 million euro or 81% of the total annual amount allocated were spent.

For municipal expenses the annual allocation was 21.42 million euro. Until 24 December 18.46 million euro, or 86% of the annual pplan for this category were spent.

¾ The budget allocation for the catogory of subsidies and transfers was 220.77 million euro. During the period of January – November 209.97 million euro, or 95% planned for the year were spent. The subsidizing of KEK has had an effect in the increase of expenditures by 24.75 million euro, as well as payment of electrical bills for for social cases in the amount of 4.5 million euro.

¾ There were 517.11 million euro earmarket for capital expenses for the year (including here allocations for KEK borrowings in the amount of 79.4 million euro) and until 24 December 2008 334.83 million euro, or 64.6% of annual plan for this economic category were spent. Compared to the same period in 2007 the capital investments are 112.33% higher in 2008.

236