The Twinning Project between Italy and Kosovo “Strengthening Efficiency, Accountability and Transparency of the Judicial and Prosecutorial System in Kosovo“, funded by the European Commission, started today in Pristina with the Kick-off Meeting. The Meeting was attended by Mr. Giovanni Legnini, Deputy-Chair of the Italian High Council of the Judiciary, Ms. Nataliya Apolostova, Head of European Union Office in Kosovo, Mr. Piero Cristoforo Sardi, Italian Ambassador and Mr. Didier Chabert, French Ambassador. The meeting was attended also by several representatives of Kosovarian judicial institutions, such as Ms. Dhurata Hoxha, Minister of Justice, Mr. Nehat Idrizi, Chair of Kosovo Judicial Council, Mr. Blerim Isufaj, Chair of Kosovo Prosecutorial Council and Mr. Alexander Lumezi, Chief State Prosecutor.
The project is conducted by the Italian High Judicial Council in cooperation with the Italian Ministry of Justice; the French Ministry of Justice, represented by Justice Coopération Internationale (JCI), is junior partner of Italy. The Siracusa Institute is the ad hoc mandated body of the Italian High Judicial Council (CSM) supporting the scientific and logistical management of the project. Its overall objective is to contribute to the Rule of Law in Kosovo by strengthening the independence, efficiency, transparency and sustainability of the judiciary and prosecutorial system.
The specific objectives are: i) to increase the efficiency of Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) and Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC), including the Special Prosecutors Office in Kosovo (SPRK); ii) both Councils should introduce a clear and effective mechanism for the career development of judges and prosecutors; iii) to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of courts and prosecutions.
The Institute attended already the First Steering Committee which was held in Pristina in January 18th.
