Newsroom
OSCE Mission review of Kosovo lawmaking shows considerable progress, persisting challenges
PRISTINA 26 January 2007
PRISTINA, 26 January 2007 - Most of the ministries in Kosovo have made considerable progress in the implementation of the laws promulgated in 2005, according to a report published today by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.
The report analyses to what extent 24 laws adopted by the Assembly of Kosovo are being implemented by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG).
"The implementation of laws must be taken seriously at all levels," said Ambassador Werner Wnendt, Head of the OSCE Mission. "Failing to implement laws diminishes the authority of the Parliament and hampers the enforcement of the political will."
The report notes that the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology were good examples of ministries that have fulfilled their obligations in implementing the laws they are responsible for.
The report also concludes that there is room for improvement, especially at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), where a substantial backlog has been observed, for example in relation to the Law on support to Small and Medium Enterprises.
The report recommends that a special office is created within the OPM to ensure that the government implements laws swiftly.
The PISG is also encouraged to better publicize laws.
"Besides being made available, laws should be published in a coherent and easily accessible manner. There is need for a strategic plan on the Official Gazette," said Asier Santillan Luzuriaga, Deputy Director of the Mission Human Rights and Rule of Law Department.
The report also addresses recommendations to the Assembly of Kosovo and encourages it to set priorities regarding the parliamentary oversight of the government.
As part of its institution-building mandate, the OSCE Mission is working with Kosovo's Government and the central Assembly to strengthen the principles of good governance and accountability.
The report is available on the OSCE Mission website at www.osce.org/kosovo.
The report analyses to what extent 24 laws adopted by the Assembly of Kosovo are being implemented by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG).
"The implementation of laws must be taken seriously at all levels," said Ambassador Werner Wnendt, Head of the OSCE Mission. "Failing to implement laws diminishes the authority of the Parliament and hampers the enforcement of the political will."
The report notes that the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology were good examples of ministries that have fulfilled their obligations in implementing the laws they are responsible for.
The report also concludes that there is room for improvement, especially at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), where a substantial backlog has been observed, for example in relation to the Law on support to Small and Medium Enterprises.
The report recommends that a special office is created within the OPM to ensure that the government implements laws swiftly.
The PISG is also encouraged to better publicize laws.
"Besides being made available, laws should be published in a coherent and easily accessible manner. There is need for a strategic plan on the Official Gazette," said Asier Santillan Luzuriaga, Deputy Director of the Mission Human Rights and Rule of Law Department.
The report also addresses recommendations to the Assembly of Kosovo and encourages it to set priorities regarding the parliamentary oversight of the government.
As part of its institution-building mandate, the OSCE Mission is working with Kosovo's Government and the central Assembly to strengthen the principles of good governance and accountability.
The report is available on the OSCE Mission website at www.osce.org/kosovo.