Memorandum of Understanding on the Improvement of the Kosovo Prosecutorial System
Pristina, 5 September 2019 - In order to increase accountability, transparency and professionalism and strengthen the Prosecutorial System, the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) and the United Kingdom Government, represented by the British Embassy in Pristina, through its implementing partners Axiom International and Agencia Ltd have signed a memorandum of understanding. This Memorandum of Understanding was signed by KPC Chair Bahri Hyseni and Project Director, Axiom International and Agencia Ltd, Steve Pitts.
The KPC Chairman, Bahri Hyseni, the Chief State Prosecutor, Alexander Lumezi, and the British Ambassador to Pristina, Nicholas Abbott, spoke about the launch of this new collaboration between the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council and the British Embassy in Pristina.
KPC Chairperson Bahri Hyseni said the experiences of British experts are very welcome and through the project "Strengthening the Justice System in Kosovo" will undoubtedly strengthen the implementation of selection principles based on merit, accountability, equity and transparency. It will also work jointly with partners from the United Kingdom, as well as with other strategic partners of the prosecutorial system, to further improve the prosecutors' performance appraisal system, in order to be more accountable and to act within internationally recognized standards, said Chairman Hyseni among other things.
Chief State Prosecutor Aleksander Lumezi said: “This cooperation with international partners gives us the right to believe that this project in the future will give concrete results in strengthening the rule of law. This cooperation through this project will also influence the creation of standards during the procedures of selection and recruitment of prosecutors, promotion, and appointment and also performance evaluation. The Memorandum should be guided by the principle of understanding, the principle of sovereignty and mutual interest in achieving common goals in accordance with the legal framework of the Republic of Kosovo. Also, this memorandum aims to support, train and monitor prosecutors dealing with cases of organized crime, high-level corruption and money laundering”.
British Ambassador to Pristina Nicholas Abbott said today is his first day as the United Kingdom ambassador to Kosovo and is pleased to meet with the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council, the Chief State Prosecutor and prosecutors - who have an important role to play in investigating and combating negative phenomena. He added that he believes this fact clearly underscores the United Kingdom's commitment and importance to strengthening the rule of law in Kosovo. “I am also pleased to be present at formalizing our even closer cooperation, through programmatic support from implementing partner Axiom and Agencia. Our implementing partner is the outgoing hand of the British Embassy who is already working closely with you on many aspects such as recruitment, promotion, appointments, performance evaluation and integrity, said Ambassador Abbott. "
This Memorandum of Understanding will influence the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council to receive support in enhancing the efficiency in recruiting, advancing and transferring all State Prosecutors and evaluating their performance
