The Office of the European Union in Kosovo said that its comments on the three draft laws, which are scheduled for second reading in the Assembly of Kosovo on June 27, have not been taken into account.

It is about the Draft Law for public officials, the one for the Independent Media Commission and the Prosecution Council of Kosovo.

The comments, the EU said, aim to improve these draft laws and ensure they are in line with European standards and best practices.

As for the Draft Law on public officials, the EU expressed concern about the non-consideration of its advice offered during drafting.

“The Parliamentary Commission [for Public Administration] has not addressed the key concerns related to this draft law, raised in various opinions of the EU, especially in relation to the changes that the legislation brings to management positions and recruitment and promotion procedures and performance in the civil service. Such changes, if implemented, risk undermining the professionalism and impartiality of the civil service,” the EU said.

In this draft law, another aspect remains a concern for the EU, which is that the law foresees that when it enters into force, “year zero” will be applied to public officials in low and middle management positions.

“This contradicts the decision of the Constitutional Court of 2023. This also risks undermining professionalization and stability in the civil service,” the EU said.

This draft law, apart from the EU, was also criticized by the opposition parties in the Assembly of Kosovo.

Meanwhile, regarding the Draft Law on the Independent Media Commission, the EU Office said that despite the fact that the current version has included some recommendations of the Council of Europe, the legislation needs further revisions to improve legal clarity and adapt even more to the standards of the European bloc and the Council of Europe.