October 7, 2015 – On the initiative of Ombudsperson, Mr. Hilmi Jashari, the first joint meeting was held with representatives of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), the Independent Media Commission (IMC) and the Central Election Commission (CEC), as an independent institutions established by the Constitution of the country.

The goal of this meeting was to jointly discus about the challenges and obstacles with which these institutions face, as per functional mechanisms or legal ones as well as issues related to the budget.

It was stressed that financial independence of independent institutions as well as provision of working conditions is crucial for maintaining specific and unique nature that each of these institutions have separately. During the meeting there were also discussions about the legal framework which determines the status of the employees of these institutions and the complexity that this issue is undergoing for a long time.

Main emphases on this occasion was given to the fact how they have been treated institutionally, including here findings that these institutions address to the Assembly of Republic of Kosovo through Annual Reports or other special reports.

Having regard the reporting line in terms of institutional responsibility, the Ombudsperson suggested joint meetings of independent constitutional institutions with the Presidency and the Presidency of the Assembly, on regular bases, which will enable direct support and communication concerning accomplishment of mandates of these institutions. Due to this, in principle, participants at the meeting agreed to maintain regular contacts between the independent constitutional institutions, in order to achieve coordination of engagement in overcoming obstacles and difficulties that these institutions face in fulfilling the mission and implementation of competencies entrusted.