UNMIK/PR/1261
PRISTINA – SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen today attended the inauguration of the Independent Oversight Board. This board is an independent forum where civil servants can present grievances or appeal against disciplinary proceedings. Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi and Public Services Minister Jakup Krasniqi and the board members were also present at the ceremony held at the Ministry of Public Services, as well as Gareth Thomas, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development. The British government had provided training of the Board members in the context of a programme of assistance to the Ministry of Public Services of 3.5 million Euros.
“I welcome the fact that the board is multi-ethnic in its composition”, the SRSG said. “The board is a further step in entrusting more responsibilities to the Kosovo authorities and also a way of holding the civil service accountable.”
“By establishing the Independent Oversight Board, the government will ensure the independence of the civil service and its protection from political influence”, said Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi.
The board has seven members, four of whom are appointed from the Kosovo Albanian community and two from among the non-Albanian communities of Kosovo. For the first year after its establishment, one member of the board will be an international specialist in the field of civil service management. In addition, the Board meets the requirements for gender balance.
Addressing the board members, the SRSG said: “You have important responsibilities ahead of you. I am sure you will live up to the trust that we have in you.” The SRSG also thanked the British government for its engagement in setting up this very important body.