Council Decision of 14 June 2004 on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Serbia and Montenegro including Kosovo as defined by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999 (2004/520/EC) (repealed)

KOSOVO AS DEFINED BY UNSCR 1244 U.K.

SHORT-TERM PRIORITIES U.K.

General priority U.K.

• In order to ensure a stable future for a secure, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo, make substantial progress in achieving the Standards for Kosovo, which were presented by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General and representatives of the Provisional Institutions of Self Government in December 2003 and endorsed by the UN Security Council. In particular, carry out the concrete actions set in the Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan covering:

  • Functioning of democratic institutions

  • Rule of law

  • Freedom of movement

  • Sustainable returns and rights of communities and their members

  • Economy

  • Property rights

  • Dialogue with Belgrade

  • Kosovo Protection Corps.

In addition to the above general priority, the following complementary priorities need to be addressed:

Political situation U.K.

Democracy and rule of law U.K.

• The Provisional Institutions of Self Government (PISG) must take all necessary steps as required by the UN Interim Administration in Kosovo to overcome the consequences and address the causes of the March 2004 events. The immediate priorities must be to condemn explicitly violence against minority communities, ensure the security of all communities, facilitate the return of displaced persons, restore and rebuild damaged and destroyed properties, including historic and religious sites, and to cooperate fully with UNMIK-KFOR to bring those responsible to Justice.

  The PISG need to demonstrate their full and unconditional commitment to a multi-ethnic Kosovo, in particular with respect to the protection and promotion of rights of members of the minority communities, equal security, freedom of movement and sustainable returns for all inhabitants of Kosovo.

• EU compatibility: develop the EU orientation of the Kosovo Government policy-making by institutionalising within the Prime Minister Office the mechanism for effective verification of EU consistency of government policies and draft laws; developing at the ministerial level and the Assembly of Kosovo capacity to ensure EU compatibility.

• Fight against corruption and organised crime: improve cooperation between UNMIK and PISG effectively to implement the ‘zero tolerance’ policy against corruption, notably by providing all necessary support to the investigations undertaken by OLAF and OIOS (the UN internal audit service).

Regional and international cooperation U.K.

• Ensure full cooperation with ICTY

• Enhance regional cooperation. Further integration into the regional network of Free Trade Agreements under the Stability Pact Memorandum of Understanding on Trade Liberalisation and Facilitation in South Eastern Europe, in compliance with UNSCR 1244. Start implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on the Development of the South East Europe Core Regional Transport Network and in particular take measures to set up the cooperation mechanisms, inter alia, the Steering Committee and the South East Europe Transport Observatory. Make progress in meeting commitments under the 2002 and 2003 Memoranda of the Athens process on the Regional Energy Market in South East Europe.

Economic situation U.K.

Market economy and structural reforms U.K.

• Define the macro-economic priorities for Kosovo in close cooperation with IMF.

• Revitalise the privatisation process to support economic development and attract inward investment and develop a comprehensive strategy to this end.

Management of public finances U.K.

• Develop technical support systems and procedures to ensure transparency, efficiency, and better control of public spending.

• Establish effective procedures for the detection, treatment and follow-up of cases of suspected fraud and other irregularities affecting national and international funds.

EU standards U.K.

Internal market and trade U.K.

• Continue development of a legislative and policy framework for trade and trade-related policies, ensuring EU- and WTO-compatibility. Fully implement the new Customs Code. Adopt a Domestic Trade Law and a Law on Trade Inspection.

Sector policies U.K.

— Environment U.K.

Prepare a comprehensive environmental action plan, particularly relating to public health issues, with a view to approximating with the EU acquis.

Adopt and implement legislation on environmental impact assessment in line with the EU acquis.

— Transport U.K.

Prepare and adopt a transport policy framework on transport including the gradual development of a multi-modal transport strategy.

Develop the civil operator of Pristina airport, its staff and facilities, to ensure an adequate level of security and sound and accountable management.

— Energy U.K.

Establish effective and functioning governance structures in the energy sector to ensure the viability and sustainability of the Kosovo electricity company notably by substantially increasing revenue collection.

Cooperation in justice and home affairs U.K.

• Implement the new Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes.

MEDIUM-TERM PRIORITIES U.K.

Political situation U.K.

Democracy and rule of law U.K.

• Improve EU compatibility: strengthen the capacity of all Kosovo institutions to enact and effectively enforce EU compatible policies and legislation, notably by reinforcing the structures dealing with European integration in the context of the stabilisation and association process.

• Strengthen public administration reform: implement a Public Administration reform in order to streamline public administration and build a professional and accountable civil service able to attract and retain qualified staff. Improve the capacity of local administration to provide services to their constituencies in an equitable and effective manner.

• Reinforce judicial reform: strengthen the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, notably by improving infrastructure, equipment and training. Transform the Kosovo Judicial Institute into a viable future institution responsible for judicial training. Ensure the viability of a comprehensive legal aid system for Kosovo. Improve the penitentiary system with particular attention to management, vocational training and reintegration schemes.

• Fight against corruption: implement a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy comprising prevention measures and an effective investigation and prosecution, notably by strengthening local capacity, in line with Council of Europe standards.

Human rights and protection of minorities U.K.

• Ombudsman: ensure the viability and the continued independence of the Ombudsman institution in Kosovo.

• Further develop freedom of expression: ensure the long-term viability of the public broadcaster and its capacity to perform its role as a public service broadcaster to all communities.

• Improve protection of minorities: ensure the viability of minority communities and their non discriminatory participation in Kosovo society, notably by establishing the necessary framework to ensure the equitable provision of public utilities and universal services.

Economic situation U.K.

Market economy and structural reforms U.K.

• Ensure viability of a borrowing and debt management capacity.

• Develop guarantee mechanisms for political risk to attract foreign investment.

• Further develop the regulatory framework for public utilities with regard to EU and international standards, notably by adopting and implementing subsidiary legislation, procedures and guidelines. Strengthen the administrative capacity of the regulators. Ensure that regulators have suitable local staff and develop their professional skills and technical equipment to discharge their functions.

• Develop the capacity of the banking sector to provide long-term financing to the economy.

• Develop a social policy to promote employment and social cohesion, to address poverty and social exclusion, to further improve social standards and to develop effective social protection systems.

• Increase efforts to ensure the compatibility of the statistical system with EU standards.

Management of public finances U.K.

• Develop capacity of the Tax Administration in order to increase non-customs revenue (direct and indirect taxation) through the progressive development of a taxation system based on EU standards. Start reviewing the present tax legislation and elaborate and implement a realistic action plan in order to progressively strengthen the administrative capacity of the Tax Administration.

• Ensure viability of the budget cycle notably by capacity building for budget preparation and execution. Develop the capacity of the Assembly of Kosovo to effectively participate in the public finance process. Ensure smooth spending across the financial year and the ‘carry-over’ principle for unspent funds.

EU standards U.K.

Internal market and trade U.K.

• Continue gradual alignment of Kosovo's legislation with all aspects of the EU's company law acquis.

Sector policies U.K.

— Agriculture U.K.

Develop a regulatory framework and appropriate mechanisms to ensure food safety and improved phyto-sanitary controls in line with relevant EU standards, also to improve Kosovo's export opportunities. Develop a policy and a regulatory framework to support viable land reform. Support the protection of agricultural land against unplanned urban development.

— Environment U.K.

Adopt and implement the environmental action plan with a view to approximating with the EU acquis.

— Transport U.K.

Implement a transport policy framework on transport including the gradual development of a multi modal transport strategy.

— Energy U.K.

Develop policy framework for public-private partnerships and mixed investments in the energy sector.

Cooperation in justice and home affairs U.K.

• Strengthen cooperation between border/boundaries management agencies and strengthen capacity for implementation of veterinary and sanitary and phytosanitary standards as a part of the integrated border management system.