Progress in the field of Internal Market, Competition and Consumer Protection

During the meeting, the Ministry of European Integration presented the draft contribution provided by relevant institutions to the Progress Report 2014. Participants agreed on the progress achieved in the areas as follows:

Internal market and Trade

During the meeting it was confirmed that there have been significant developments during the reporting period in foreign trade. In the trade sections of the SAA, authorities have successfully identified and negotiated trade sections of the Agreement. During technical negotiations rounds, consultative mechanisms of trade policies are used to get input from Business Associations, Chambers of Commerce and other stakeholders. On the other hand, negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement with Turkey is successfully concluded.

Regarding the Quality infrastructure, the progress achieved in the legislative framework was confirmed, upon what several Administrative Instructions and Regulations for the effective enforcement of legislation were adopted.

Representatives discussed on the strengthening of administrative capacities, cooperation, including the signing of a Cooperation Agreement between the American Association for Materials Testing and Kosovo Standardization Agency, as well as a number of trainings and other activities aiming enhancement of further professionalism for the staff of this field.

Regarding the technical capacities, establishment of a laboratory of length and pressure, as well as technical capacity building of laboratories that conduct electrical measurement and analysis of precious metals, have been confirmed.

In terms of quality infrastructure enforcement, it was confirmed that during the reporting period 1104 standards have been adopted and a number of public awareness activities related to the enforcement of standards have been conducted. In addition, two Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB) have been accredited, 19 CABs have been overseen, two assessment visits were conducted in the testing laboratories awaiting closure of non-conformities, as well 8 new applications for accreditation have been received. Furthermore, all primary etalons of mass laboratory, electrical measurement laboratory and the thermometer laboratory have been calibrated. A considerable number of inspections for monitoring the implementation of technical regulations have been conducted. In this context, it was confirmed that the database for the electronic exchange of information and inspection of market is functional and 3 manuals have been published to ensure the implementation of directives and regulations transposed by EU.

Regarding Consumer Protection, it was confirmed that one regulation has been adopted, an additional officer has been employed, the Consumer Protection Council has met on a regular basis and a total of 132 complaints were received during the reporting period.

Regarding the Free Movement of Labour, the adoption of the Law on Foreigners, 3 Administrative Instructions, establishment of Division on Bilateral Agreement in the field of Social Security as well as the signing of two bilateral agreements on the same field with the countries of the region, were presented during this meeting.

Regarding the Free Movement of Services, it was confirmed that three working groups have been established to facilitate the process of transposition of the Services Directive and the held meeting of the Coordination Group for the Harmonization of Legislation on Services.

Regarding the right of establishment, the adoption of the Law on Foreign Investment has been confirmed.

Regarding the Free Movement of Capital, it was confirmed that seven regulations were adopted for oversight of Microfinance Institutions, that banks connected with SWIFT code have renamed their codes to reflect the state code of Kosovo.

CBK has joined the International Organization ” Child &Youth Finance International”, as well 15 new officers were employed during the reporting period.  This month, Central Bank also has also signed cooperation agreements with the European Central Bank. This agreement is very important because provides the framework for cooperation between the CBK and the Central Banks of the Member States of the EU through the European Central Bank.

In the field of competition, progress in the legislative field was confirmed by approval of Law No. 04/L-226 for the Protection of Competition. While in terms of institutional capacity, progress has been achieved in the establishment of the Office for State Aid, whereas an office manager and an officer have been engaged, but it remains to be staffed in the future.

Meanwhile in terms of implementation, the National Competition Authority within its mandate, has reviewed (11) claims on consumer and competition protection.

With regards to procurement field, it was also confirmed the legislative progress upon the adoption of the Law No.04/L-237 on Public Procurement in Kosovo. Regarding implementation, the PPRC has conducted procurement procedures according to the law where has issued a total of 12,551 contracts, respectively 87.86% with the open procedure and 5.60% by negotiated procedure/agreement. It has been discussed on the number of cases that did not comply with the rules and instructions for PP, and monitoring of procurement authorities.

Members of the Procurement Review Body (PRB) were appointed by the Assembly on 19 March 2014, where 469 complaints were received from economic operators, 254 of them have met the legal criteria for review, in accordance by PPL.

Regarding Intellectual Property Rights, it also confirmed the legislative progress upon the adoption of two instructions on enforcement of the Law on Geographical Indications and Country of Origin.

Regarding the implementation in the field of Intellectual Property Rights, it was confirmed that the Intellectual Property Agency database has been functionalized where data has been entered, respectively 378 Trademarks, 44 Patents and 14 Industrial Designs. Industrial Property Agency has received 1,457 applications for Trademarks, 107 for Patents, 27 for Industrial Design and 1 application for Geographical Indication.

Regarding implementing measures about counterfeited goods from Kosovo Customs it was confirmed that were conducted inspections in 54 cases, under which were created 20 new risk profiles, and (3) ex-officio cases. In order to increase the number of risk profiles, they have developed in Customs Electronic System. Regarding Intellectual Property Rights, it was confirmed that a total of 11 training sessions were held in the field of IPR for all institutions, and 3 related study visits were conducted.

The contribution  for Progress Report will be submitted to the European Commission officially on 2 May 2014. This will constitute the first contribution of institutions for 2014, while the second and final contribution will be delivered by 1 September 2014.