European Commission and Kosovo discuss Internal Market, Competition, Health and Consumer Protection issues

Representatives of the Kosovo authorities and the European Commission met in Pristina to discuss the developments over the past year in the areas of internal market, competition, and health and consumer protection. The discussion is held in the framework of the regular Stabilisation and Association Process Dialogue.

On health, both parties agreed that it is important that Kosovo establishes a sustainable, cost-effective and patient centred health system. The establishment of the Health Insurance Fund is a critical step to realise this, as is further investment in promotion of healthy lifestyle, prevention of diseases and protection of the population against serious cross-border health threats.

On consumer protection, the Commission encouraged the establishment of the National Inspection Council and to ensure the surveillance of the local inspectorates at central level. It welcomed the Plan to amend the Law to align it with the EU acquis and highlighted the need to increase the capacities and step up awareness raising in this field.

On the movement of capital, financial services and company law, the Commission and Kosovo authorities agreed on the need to advance on the legislation and its enforcement.

On public procurement, the Commission welcomed the adoption of a list of joint procurement items and encouraged Kosovo to make it operational. The Commission also took note of the adoption of relevant administrative provisions in 2014. The Commission encouraged Kosovo to finalise a Strategy on compliance with the SAA and alignment with EU acquis and to adopt the amendments to the Law. However, it expressed its concerns regarding functioning of the Public Procurement Review Body (PPRB) and urged the authorities to take the appropriate steps and review the appointment of the PPRB so as to make it operational.

On free movement of services, the Commission noted the plans to advance on the alignment of national legislation with the Service Directive as well as the state of play on the negotiations on professional services with CEFTA member states.

On intellectual property rights, the Commission welcomed the steps done and encouraged Kosovo to complete the amendment of the legislation.

Finally, on competition the Commission reiterated its concern on the functioning of the institutions in charge of competition and State Aid and urged Kosovo to appoint the competent and independent Members of the Board of the Competition Authority and to provide adequate resources for its functioning.

Background information

The SAP Dialogue is the framework for the EU and the Kosovo administration to regularly discuss technical and policy issues in relation to the European agenda. The meetings provide direct input into the European Commission’s yearly progress report.

The SAP Dialogue monitors and accompanies Kosovo’s delivery on reforms and identifies how the EU can assist in this process.

There are seven areas covered in sectorial meetings and they follow closely the format of the dialogue that the EU has with other candidates and potential candidates. The sectorial meetings are on Justice, Freedom and Security; Innovation, Information Society, Social Policy, Education and Culture; Trade, Industry, Customs and Taxation; Internal Market, Competition, Consumer and Health Protection; Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Food Safety; Transport, Environment, Energy, Regional Development; Economic and Financial Issues, Statistics.

Sectorial and plenary SAP Dialogue meetings are co-chaired by the European Commission and the government. Each meeting results in jointly agreed follow-up actions to be taken by the Kosovo authorities. A high level plenary meeting, where the reform priorities will be discussed, is expected to take place in July 2015.