SIGMA and Kosovo

 

SIGMA works with Kosovo* within the EU's overall policy framework for the Western Balkans, the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP). SIGMA currently supports Kosovo, a potential EU candidate, in the following areas:

General Administrative Procedures

SIGMA is working with Kosovo’s Ministry of Public Administration (MoPA) on improving the system of administrative procedures. SIGMA’s support started in 2012 with a review of the Law on General Administrative Procedures of 2005 and the preparation of the policy paper Good Administration Through a Better System of Administrative Procedures. Following the presentation and discussion of the paper during a workshop in February 2013, SIGMA is now currently supporting the MoPA in drafting a new Law on General Administrative Procedures. It is hoped that the new law will not only improve the administrative legal environment for the protection of citizens’ rights and administrative business climate, but will also help build trust in the administration and contribute to improving the rule of law.

Key partner: Ministry of Public Administration

Public Procurement

SIGMA has been helping Kosovo develop its public procurement system since 2003. In 2013, SIGMA has worked with:

(1) contracting authorities on implementing the provisions on contract management in the 2011 Public Procurement Law;

(2) the Central Procurement Agency on developing central purchasing as foreseen in the 2011 Law (in co-operation with other technical assistance projects);

(3) the Public Procurement Regulatory Commission on improving the perception of the public of public procurement through communications activities; and

(4) the Procurement Review Body on improving the drafting of its decisions.

Key partners: Central Procurement Agency, Public Procurement Regulatory Commission, Procurement Review Body

Public Administration Reform and EU Acquis Transposition

SIGMA is currently supporting Kosovo (1) improve the implementation of public administration reform (PAR) and (2) develop the policy development and implementation capacities of key structures for EU acquis transposition.

(1) In the area of PAR, SIGMA is:

  • helping the Ministry of Public Administration develop its capacities for coordination and implementation of the PAR Strategy;
  • assisting the Ministry of European Integrity (MoEI) develop an action plan to implement the PAR recommendations of the Kosovo Feasibility Study;
  • supporting discussions between government and non-government stakeholders and raising their  awareness of PAR priorities and the main PAR challenges for Kosovo.

(2) In the area of acquis transposition, SIGMA is preparing the ground for an assessment of the capacities of ministries’ key structures for acquis transposition (departments for European Integration and Planning, legal departments, relevant line departments) by: (a) preparing the terms of reference of the assessment;(b) developing a methodology for the assessment; and (c) ensuring the feasibility of the exercise by helping the MoEI in achieving full buy-in from all relevant stakeholders.

Key partners: Ministry of Public Administration, Ministry of European Integration

Policy Making

Kosovo is currently at a crucial stage of its European integration processes, and is likely to sign a Stability and Accession Agreement during the second half of 2013. However, EU accession negotiations and membership need to be underpinned by policy making arrangements and capacities that: (1) enable consistent policy planning of government activities, including priority setting; (2) create economically efficient and financially sustainable policies; (3) ensure that policies are properly implemented and monitored; and (4) support the transposition and implementation of the acquis in all sectors, and lay the foundations for operating effectively as an EU Member State. To support Kosovo develop the necessary arrangements and capacities, SIGMA is conducting a joint review of policy planning, development, co-ordination and implementation, examining its central co-ordination and horizontal planning systems and arrangements, including those for the co-ordination of European integration affairs and for policy analysis and monitoring in line ministries. The review will provide an in-depth analysis of the key aspects of public governance capacities in policy making and coordination, highlight areas of good practice and suggest areas for improvement.

Key partner: Ministry of European Integration

 

For further information on SIGMA activities in Kosovo, please contact Keit Kasemets, Country Co-ordinator, or Nicole Delecluse, Project Co-ordinator.

Publications and Documents

  • Assessment Reports

SIGMA's annual Assessments review the progress made by EU Candidates and Potential Candidates in public administration reform. These Assessments feed into the EC's annual Progress Reports and its programming of technical assistance. They also aim to provide countries with inputs into their own reform activities.

Assessment reports prepared for Kosovo are available .

  • Other Reports

Public Management Profile Kosovo, SIGMA 2003

  • Translations of SIGMA Publications into Bosnian-Serbian-Croatian

SIGMA and the OECD as copyright holders cannot take responsibility for the quality of translations of SIGMA publications. For questions on using SIGMA copyrighted material or to request permission to translate a SIGMA publication, please contact the OECD Publications' Rights Unit.

 

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

 

Related Documents

 

SIGMA and GOV Publications in Bosnian-Serbian-Croatian