UNMIK/PR/279
PRISTINA---The Interim Administrative Council today opened discussions on the important draft regulation on Self-Government of Municipalities in Kosovo. DSRSG Mr. Tom Koenigs briefed the IAC members about the regulation, which was given to the members last week.
Mr. Koenigs said that the regulation was based on wide consultations with international organizations, such as the Council of Europe and the OSCE. He said that apart from the first section of chapter 1 and chapter 9, which spell out the competencies of the SRSG and the municipal administrators being his representatives in the municipalities, the draft regulation could serve as a permanent legal framework.
The draft regulation lays out the number of municipalities, the number of assembly members, their competencies as well as those of the president and the chief executive officers.
IAC members raised questions and objections, especially regarding the role of the local community offices and the wording of the title of the draft regulation.
PDK President Mr. Hashim Thaci presented the written comments of his party and of the Kosovar co-head of local government, Mr. Rame Buja. The other Kosovar IAC members will give their written comments shortly.
IAC also established a group of experts, who will meet tomorrow to continue discussions on the draft regulation at a technical level. PDSRSG Jock Covey told journalists later that discussions on the draft regulation will continue at the political level at the IAC meeting on Friday.
Mr. Covey said that the IAC had also endorsed the regulation establishing the Department of Sports. With this, of the 20 JIAS departments, 13 departments have been formally set up with their regulations being either signed or approved.