UNMIK/PR/744
PRISTINA – SRSG Michael Steiner today chaired the first meeting of Kosovo’s Economic and Fiscal Council (EFC). The EFC was formed under the Constitutional Framework. It is a consultative body of UNMIK and Provisional government representatives, which advises the SRSG on economic, financial and fiscal issues, including the Kosovo Consolidated Budget.
The EFC got down to work today to discuss the draft Kosovo Trust Agency Regulation, the Government programme and the Kosovo Pension Savings Trust, an independent non-governmental institution that would administer the new system of savings pensions.
The Council took positive note of the SRSG’s decision to promulgate the KTA Regulation in the next two weeks. The Council also welcomed the amendments to the regulation that had been suggested by the Provisional Government. These include adding the President of the Federation of the Independent Trade Unions to the KTA Board and making one of the Kosovar members its vice-chairman.
SRSG Michael Steiner said “the KTA draft regulation had taken a lot of time and effort…I am glad that there is a broad consensus that we want privatisation in Kosovo. This is the only way to get the economy going.” He also congratulated Prime Minister Rexhepi on the Government programme.
The Council also agreed that in order to avoid confusion there should be close coordination between UNMIK and Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in regard to their respective competencies.
The EFC comprises Assembly President Nexhat Daci, Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, Minister of Finance and Economy Ali Sadriu, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Ahmet Jusufi and Minister of Agriculture, whenever he/she is nominated. UNMIK’s representatives are PDSRSG Charles Brayshaw, DSRSG for Economic Reconstruction Andy Bearpark and DSRSG for Civil Administration Tom Koenigs. However, Mr. Daci was represented today by chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee Haki Shatri, Mr. Koenigs by Peter Schumann and Mr. Bearpark by Juergen Voss.
The EFC will meet again on 24 June 2002.
