Pristine, 15 February 2008
As I have made my commitment to ensure a continued and speedy communication with all minor communities in Kosovo, as a Prime Minister I have decided to establish a special Office of Community Affairs and have appointed a Special Adviser for communities in my cabinet.
The Office of Community Affairs and the adviser as its director will daily report to me for issues concerning minorities. As of now, the minorities shall have a clear and responsible point of addressing and resolving their issues. My office will always remain open not only to listen but also find common resolutions to issues that will improve the security, life and the wellbeing of all communities.
In an independent Kosovo no citizen will feel discriminated or left aside. I will personally make an effort that issues of communities are treated properly and at all levels of Kosovo institutions.
To start with, a budget of EUR 1 mil has been allocated to put into function this office, while pledges are being made by donors for further support.
The main responsibility of the Special Communities Advisor will be his accountability to the Prime Minister, and the management of the Office of Community Affairs. The Advisor will be supported by two deputies: one from the non-Serb minor community and the second from Albanian community.
His main responsibilities shall be the establishment of the Office of Community Affairs, drafting and definition of the job description of the office personnel, establishment of the operational procedures for addressing issues raised by communities, drafting of budgetary annual requirements for the running of the office in accordance with established office aims and priorities, and develops internal management procedures for utilisation of trusted funds of the Office of Community Affairs.
The Advisor will advise the Prime Minister on community affairs acting as a liaison between non-Albanian community and the OPM. Special attention will be paid to public and private communication between the Government and non-Albanian communities.
In the area of advocacy, the Advisor shall inform the Prime Minister on sensitive issues related to the communities, such as property issues of higher profile, inter-ethnic crime, etc.; defines and articulates the priorities and objectives of social and economic community programmes and identifies future potential support and development projects, which may be implemented through the trusted funds of the Office of Community Affairs.
The liaison with the donor/support community will take place by following and mainstreaming the donor and Kosovo Government assistance dedicated to the non-Albanian communities, followed with advocacy on communities that need assistance projects by putting them in contact with the donors.
The arrangement within the Government will take place through communication among Government bodies covering projects or tasks related to communities, such as the Ministry on Communities and Returns, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Finance, KPS, Kosovo Property Agency and other relevant organisations.
As a focal point, it will serve as the portal between the Government and the International Civil Office and other organisations that deal with community-related affairs.
Last modified: July 31, 2022