The fourth report of the coalition prEUgovor covering monitoring period from October 2014 to Apri... more The fourth report of the coalition prEUgovor covering monitoring period from October 2014 to April 2015 was marked by three key events.
First, the Action Plans for Chapters 23 and 24, as the two key strategic documents listing concrete reform measures to be implemented and serving as the opening benchmark for Serbia for negotiations under these two chapters, were drafted and finalised with the participation of civil society organisations.
The main conclusion regarding the existing drafts of Action Plans is that they provide a substantial roadmap for reforms needed in these two chapters, but their final versions need to be updated with realistic deadlines, resources for implementation and in regard to the protection of personal data and rights of victims of crime.
Second, there was evident backsliding in the area of the rule of law, primarily concerning the Government`s pressure on the functioning of independent state institutions.
This development is of gravest concern, since these institutions act as a control check for the government`s actions, assuring that the citizens` rights are respected and that state institutions operate within their competences in line with positive law.
Lastly, the previous period was marked by the process of drafting and several rounds of public consultations regarding the new Law on Police.
Taking into account that professional, efficient and accountable police is the key precondition for the safety of citizens and successful reforms under Chapter 24, it is of utmost importance that the new Law on Police should provide a solid basis for police reform in line with EU standards and best practices.
The findings of this analysis show that by the end of March 2014, 285 former MUP employees had st... more The findings of this analysis show that by the end of March 2014, 285 former MUP employees had started the integration process. This marked a significant step forward in implementing the Agreement. There were uncertainties and challenges regarding the establishment of the KP Regional Command North, in particular whether the Command should include the four Serbian municipalities in the North alone, or South Mitrovica and Vushtrri/Vučitrn as well. In addition, there were disagreements on the appointment of the Head of the Command, a post currently occupied by acting head Nenad Djurić. Apart from these organizational issues, the main area of dispute concerned the vetting process, which faced criticism due to the limited time available for it and difficulties in applying the generic vetting cycle. The question of who should take ownership of the vetting process was prominent in political discourse in both Prishtina and Belgrade. Furthermore, the induction training which was organized for former MUP employees was of short duration, which therefore raised the question of proper integration and adoption of KP organizational culture. In addition, during the Brussels talks a list of 337 police officers who were supposed to be integrated was delivered to the Prishtina authorities by the Serbian side. Of these, 285 were invited to join the integration process, while 52 former MUP officers were omitted. These 52 included some who did not want to join the KP, some who had applied but did not meet all the requirements and some who had not received security clearance. In addition, approximately 800 former MUP staff in central and eastern Kosovo have been retired and omitted from the integration process. This caused dissatisfaction among these individuals, as well as complaints about the Brussels Agreement being applicable to the North Kosovo alone. As part of the discourse, a number of reports appeared in the media which fostered misinterpretation and prejudice regarding implementation of the Brussels Agreement. While the Kosovar media, for example, raised the issue of the loyalty of these officers to the KP chain of command, the Serbian media covered this topic extensively, focusing on technical aspects of the process, such as the challenge of integrating a large number of MUP officers into the KP and the security clearance procedure, among other issues, almost exclusively quoting the Kosovar media.
prEUgovor - Report on Progress of Serbia in Chapters 23 and 24, Nov 14, 2014
The report is structured to present findings relevant to the policy areas covered in the European... more The report is structured to present findings relevant to the policy areas covered in the European Commission’s Progress Report for Serbia for 2014, as well as to highlight additional important issues. This report contains a separate chapter related to the process of producing Action Plan for the chapter 23 and also a special segment devoted to the problems that emerged after the floods that hit Serbia in May, including inappropriate responses by the state institutions and the corruption risks that appeared in the aftermath of these events.
This publication focuses on challenges in cooperation between governments and civil societies in ... more This publication focuses on challenges in cooperation between governments and civil societies in the Western Balkan countries in six selected areas covered by chapters 23 and 24 of the accession negotiations with the European Union: effective monitoring of the implementation of action plans and strategies; human rights issues; migration and asylum policies; the judiciary and justice system; anti-corruption policies and activities; and civic education.
The study is co-authored by 20 experts from the Western Balkans. They map the problems in each of the subject by providing the existing framework of strategies, legislation and action plans, as well as the practical dimension of civil society–government cooperation in this regard. The authors offer consolidated recommendations to both the government and civil society, and additional recommendations to the EU, the international community, donors, and other stakeholders, with the aim to enhance collaboration in each country in the particular areas.
The main finding is that there is a vast, untapped potential in Serbia for a more proactive invol... more The main finding is that there is a vast, untapped potential in Serbia for a more proactive involvement of its civilian capacities (CivCaps) in missions abroad; yet, the lack of clear foreign policy goals, coupled with the lack of initiative and coordinating efforts on the part of MoFA, impedes their adequate usage. Lastly, recommendations for increasing existing training capacities and establishing two potential rosters of experts are provided.
The fourth report of the coalition prEUgovor covering monitoring period from October 2014 to Apri... more The fourth report of the coalition prEUgovor covering monitoring period from October 2014 to April 2015 was marked by three key events.
First, the Action Plans for Chapters 23 and 24, as the two key strategic documents listing concrete reform measures to be implemented and serving as the opening benchmark for Serbia for negotiations under these two chapters, were drafted and finalised with the participation of civil society organisations.
The main conclusion regarding the existing drafts of Action Plans is that they provide a substantial roadmap for reforms needed in these two chapters, but their final versions need to be updated with realistic deadlines, resources for implementation and in regard to the protection of personal data and rights of victims of crime.
Second, there was evident backsliding in the area of the rule of law, primarily concerning the Government`s pressure on the functioning of independent state institutions.
This development is of gravest concern, since these institutions act as a control check for the government`s actions, assuring that the citizens` rights are respected and that state institutions operate within their competences in line with positive law.
Lastly, the previous period was marked by the process of drafting and several rounds of public consultations regarding the new Law on Police.
Taking into account that professional, efficient and accountable police is the key precondition for the safety of citizens and successful reforms under Chapter 24, it is of utmost importance that the new Law on Police should provide a solid basis for police reform in line with EU standards and best practices.
The findings of this analysis show that by the end of March 2014, 285 former MUP employees had st... more The findings of this analysis show that by the end of March 2014, 285 former MUP employees had started the integration process. This marked a significant step forward in implementing the Agreement. There were uncertainties and challenges regarding the establishment of the KP Regional Command North, in particular whether the Command should include the four Serbian municipalities in the North alone, or South Mitrovica and Vushtrri/Vučitrn as well. In addition, there were disagreements on the appointment of the Head of the Command, a post currently occupied by acting head Nenad Djurić. Apart from these organizational issues, the main area of dispute concerned the vetting process, which faced criticism due to the limited time available for it and difficulties in applying the generic vetting cycle. The question of who should take ownership of the vetting process was prominent in political discourse in both Prishtina and Belgrade. Furthermore, the induction training which was organized for former MUP employees was of short duration, which therefore raised the question of proper integration and adoption of KP organizational culture. In addition, during the Brussels talks a list of 337 police officers who were supposed to be integrated was delivered to the Prishtina authorities by the Serbian side. Of these, 285 were invited to join the integration process, while 52 former MUP officers were omitted. These 52 included some who did not want to join the KP, some who had applied but did not meet all the requirements and some who had not received security clearance. In addition, approximately 800 former MUP staff in central and eastern Kosovo have been retired and omitted from the integration process. This caused dissatisfaction among these individuals, as well as complaints about the Brussels Agreement being applicable to the North Kosovo alone. As part of the discourse, a number of reports appeared in the media which fostered misinterpretation and prejudice regarding implementation of the Brussels Agreement. While the Kosovar media, for example, raised the issue of the loyalty of these officers to the KP chain of command, the Serbian media covered this topic extensively, focusing on technical aspects of the process, such as the challenge of integrating a large number of MUP officers into the KP and the security clearance procedure, among other issues, almost exclusively quoting the Kosovar media.
prEUgovor - Report on Progress of Serbia in Chapters 23 and 24, Nov 14, 2014
The report is structured to present findings relevant to the policy areas covered in the European... more The report is structured to present findings relevant to the policy areas covered in the European Commission’s Progress Report for Serbia for 2014, as well as to highlight additional important issues. This report contains a separate chapter related to the process of producing Action Plan for the chapter 23 and also a special segment devoted to the problems that emerged after the floods that hit Serbia in May, including inappropriate responses by the state institutions and the corruption risks that appeared in the aftermath of these events.
This publication focuses on challenges in cooperation between governments and civil societies in ... more This publication focuses on challenges in cooperation between governments and civil societies in the Western Balkan countries in six selected areas covered by chapters 23 and 24 of the accession negotiations with the European Union: effective monitoring of the implementation of action plans and strategies; human rights issues; migration and asylum policies; the judiciary and justice system; anti-corruption policies and activities; and civic education.
The study is co-authored by 20 experts from the Western Balkans. They map the problems in each of the subject by providing the existing framework of strategies, legislation and action plans, as well as the practical dimension of civil society–government cooperation in this regard. The authors offer consolidated recommendations to both the government and civil society, and additional recommendations to the EU, the international community, donors, and other stakeholders, with the aim to enhance collaboration in each country in the particular areas.
The main finding is that there is a vast, untapped potential in Serbia for a more proactive invol... more The main finding is that there is a vast, untapped potential in Serbia for a more proactive involvement of its civilian capacities (CivCaps) in missions abroad; yet, the lack of clear foreign policy goals, coupled with the lack of initiative and coordinating efforts on the part of MoFA, impedes their adequate usage. Lastly, recommendations for increasing existing training capacities and establishing two potential rosters of experts are provided.
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First, the Action Plans for Chapters 23 and 24, as the two key strategic documents listing concrete reform measures to be implemented and serving as the opening benchmark for Serbia for negotiations under these two chapters, were drafted and finalised with the participation of civil society organisations.
The main conclusion regarding the existing drafts of Action Plans is that they provide a substantial roadmap for reforms needed in these two chapters, but their final versions need to be updated with realistic deadlines, resources for implementation and in regard to the protection of personal data and rights of victims of crime.
Second, there was evident backsliding in the area of the rule of law, primarily concerning the Government`s pressure on the functioning of independent state institutions.
This development is of gravest concern, since these institutions act as a control check for the government`s actions, assuring that the citizens` rights are respected and that state institutions operate within their competences in line with positive law.
Lastly, the previous period was marked by the process of drafting and several rounds of public consultations regarding the new Law on Police.
Taking into account that professional, efficient and accountable police is the key precondition for the safety of citizens and successful reforms under Chapter 24, it is of utmost importance that the new Law on Police should provide a solid basis for police reform in line with EU standards and best practices.
Furthermore, the induction training which was organized for former MUP employees was of short duration, which therefore raised the question of proper integration and adoption of KP organizational culture. In addition, during the Brussels talks a list of 337 police officers who were supposed to be integrated was delivered to the Prishtina authorities by the Serbian side. Of these, 285 were invited to join the integration process, while 52 former MUP officers were omitted. These 52 included some who did not want to join the KP, some who had applied but did not meet all the requirements and some who had not received security clearance. In addition, approximately 800 former MUP staff in central and eastern Kosovo have been retired and omitted from the integration process. This caused dissatisfaction among these individuals, as well as complaints about the Brussels Agreement being applicable to the North Kosovo alone.
As part of the discourse, a number of reports appeared in the media which fostered misinterpretation and prejudice regarding implementation of the Brussels Agreement. While the Kosovar media, for example, raised the issue of the loyalty of these officers to the KP chain of command, the Serbian media covered this topic extensively, focusing on technical aspects of the process, such as the challenge of integrating a large number of MUP officers into the KP and the security clearance procedure, among other issues, almost exclusively quoting the Kosovar media.
The study is co-authored by 20 experts from the Western Balkans. They map the problems in each of the subject by providing the existing framework of strategies, legislation and action plans, as well as the practical dimension of civil society–government cooperation in this regard. The authors offer consolidated recommendations to both the government and civil society, and additional recommendations to the EU, the international community, donors, and other stakeholders, with the aim to enhance collaboration in each country in the particular areas.
First, the Action Plans for Chapters 23 and 24, as the two key strategic documents listing concrete reform measures to be implemented and serving as the opening benchmark for Serbia for negotiations under these two chapters, were drafted and finalised with the participation of civil society organisations.
The main conclusion regarding the existing drafts of Action Plans is that they provide a substantial roadmap for reforms needed in these two chapters, but their final versions need to be updated with realistic deadlines, resources for implementation and in regard to the protection of personal data and rights of victims of crime.
Second, there was evident backsliding in the area of the rule of law, primarily concerning the Government`s pressure on the functioning of independent state institutions.
This development is of gravest concern, since these institutions act as a control check for the government`s actions, assuring that the citizens` rights are respected and that state institutions operate within their competences in line with positive law.
Lastly, the previous period was marked by the process of drafting and several rounds of public consultations regarding the new Law on Police.
Taking into account that professional, efficient and accountable police is the key precondition for the safety of citizens and successful reforms under Chapter 24, it is of utmost importance that the new Law on Police should provide a solid basis for police reform in line with EU standards and best practices.
Furthermore, the induction training which was organized for former MUP employees was of short duration, which therefore raised the question of proper integration and adoption of KP organizational culture. In addition, during the Brussels talks a list of 337 police officers who were supposed to be integrated was delivered to the Prishtina authorities by the Serbian side. Of these, 285 were invited to join the integration process, while 52 former MUP officers were omitted. These 52 included some who did not want to join the KP, some who had applied but did not meet all the requirements and some who had not received security clearance. In addition, approximately 800 former MUP staff in central and eastern Kosovo have been retired and omitted from the integration process. This caused dissatisfaction among these individuals, as well as complaints about the Brussels Agreement being applicable to the North Kosovo alone.
As part of the discourse, a number of reports appeared in the media which fostered misinterpretation and prejudice regarding implementation of the Brussels Agreement. While the Kosovar media, for example, raised the issue of the loyalty of these officers to the KP chain of command, the Serbian media covered this topic extensively, focusing on technical aspects of the process, such as the challenge of integrating a large number of MUP officers into the KP and the security clearance procedure, among other issues, almost exclusively quoting the Kosovar media.
The study is co-authored by 20 experts from the Western Balkans. They map the problems in each of the subject by providing the existing framework of strategies, legislation and action plans, as well as the practical dimension of civil society–government cooperation in this regard. The authors offer consolidated recommendations to both the government and civil society, and additional recommendations to the EU, the international community, donors, and other stakeholders, with the aim to enhance collaboration in each country in the particular areas.