UNMIK/PR/1209
PRISTINA – The Working Group on Local Government, chaired by UNMIK and the PISG, has finalized the Framework Document for the Reform of Local Self-Government in Kosovo, which was endorsed by the government at a special meeting today.
Community representatives, the Association of Kosovo Municipalities as well as international experts from the Council of Europe, OSCE and USAID, also participated in the Working Group, whose activities were initiated in the context of the request made in the Presidential Statement of the Security Council of 30 April 2004 for “more effective local government”, and the invitation to the interested parties in Kosovo to develop concrete proposals for the reform. The Acting SRSG Charles Brayshaw today commended the document: “It represents the views of all Kosovo’s people on how best to structure local government to meet the real needs of society.”
The development and endorsement of the Framework on Local Government Reform marks the start of a process of local government reform in Kosovo. The beginning of a comprehensive reform of local government is a crucial step forward to ensure sustainable government and living conditions for all inhabitants of Kosovo.
The reform will offer benefits to all communities, address their needs for protection, and contribute to the integration of all communities into the democratic structures of Kosovo. The reform will provide the inhabitants of Kosovo with more participation, more democracy, and improved governance at the local level. It is an important contribution to set up and consolidate functioning democratic institutions, one of the key standards for Kosovo.
Local government reform is, as demonstrated by experience in European countries, a long-term process. It requires a genuine commitment of public authorities, and full engagement of stakeholders at all levels, including the civil society.
UNMIK calls upon the PISG and all communities in Kosovo to remain fully engaged in this important process, and to undertake concrete steps to start implementation of the reform. UNMIK will continue to take the reform of local government in Kosovo forward in an active way.