“Our priorities in the field of legislation are reflected in the Work Plan and the Government Legislative Programme for 2017. Moreover, the Ministry is working in fulfilling the requirements arising from the European Reform Agenda, called ERA,” said Minister Hoxha.

The Ministry of Justice is working on the final organizational aspects to start with the Functional Review of the Rule of Law sector. This process is being developed in close cooperation with the international community.

The Minister added that one of the first activities to take place in 2017 shall be the review of criminal law and anti-corruption law.

“Besides our efforts in amending and supplementing the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code, as well as the anti-corruption laws, we have established a Working Group for drafting a concept paper on reviewing and approving of legislation which makes it mandatory to suspend and/or dismiss public officials charged and convicted of corruption,” said Minister Hoxha. She pointed out that two German experts have been engaged to provide expertise in developing this concept paper with all the necessary guidelines for this complex field.

With regard to the laws, the Minister noted that the draft-law on “Prevention of Conflict of Interest in Discharge of Public Functions”, has been drafted, and after being approved by the Government, it has been sent to the Assembly. The draft law has been compiled in full compliance with EU legislation and in cooperation with representatives of the Anti-Corruption Agency, the experts of the Council of Europe and the EU Office in Kosovo.

Regarding the “Draft Law on State Prosecutor’s Office”, namely the revision of the provisions that refer to the issue of appointment of prosecutors in the Special Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry, in cooperation with the State Prosecutor and the Prosecutorial Council, will address it within the first 6 months of 2017.

“We have established a working group for drafting a concept paper and then the draft law on amending and supplementing the Law on State Prosecutor’s Office, which will reflect the modifications required to increase the number of prosecutors in the Special Prosecutor’s Office in order to strengthen the Special Prosecutor's Office in its investigation and prosecution of cases of corruption and high-level crimes,” said the Minister.

In addition, the Minister stated, “we have established a Working Group and Thematic Groups for drafting the Civil Code of Kosovo. In this regard, we enjoy the EU support through a project that will last from February 2017 until February 2020.

“The Ministry of Justice is finalizing the evaluation of all projects and programs of international donors in the justice sector in order to increase the effects of these numerous projects that are being implemented in the justice sector,” said Minister Hoxha. The projects and programs are being assessed under the OECD standards – an assessment that is implemented for the first time by the Kosovo institutions.

Minister Hoxha expressed the commitment of the Ministry of Justice in fulfilling its mission in creating policies and adequate legislation for the justice system in accordance with the EU best practices.