almanac on security sector oversight in the Western Balkans

The international military presence (NATO–led KFOR) and the European Union Rule of
Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) are, without doubt, two important international missions
in Kosovo which retain an executive mandate in some areas. 57 Considering their
mandate is very limited, this chapter will not focus on international actors in Kosovo.
Their main mandate is to provide support to local institutions in building their capacities;
therefore the basic foundation of Kosovo’s security sector is comprised of local
security institutions.
The analysis of institutional actors will start with a brief description of the role of the
above mentioned institutions starting with the parliament or Assembly of Kosovo, followed
by the president, the government, the Security Council, the Kosovo police, the
security force and the intelligence agency.
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2.1. Kosovo Assembly
Kosovo is defined by its constitution as a parliamentary democracy. The Assembly
of Kosovo (AoK) is the only central institution in Kosovo that is directly elected
by citizens. In total, there are seats for one hundred twenty members of parliament
(MPs), one hundred of which are elected directly by the citizenry at large
and twenty are reserved for minority ethnic communities (Constitution, 2008). 58
The AoK is the most important institution in governing the country and a cornerstone
for establishing democratic institutions and a democratic security sector.
Another important role of AoK is its external oversight of the security sector 59 , explained
in more detail below.
2.2. President
Since Kosovo is a parliamentary democracy, the role of the President of the Republic
of Kosovo is quite limited. 60 According to the constitution, however, the president
has an important role in the security sector since he/she serves as commander-in-chief
of the Kosovo Security Force; appoints the commander of the Kosovo Security Force
upon the recommendation of the government; and in conjunction with the prime
minister appoints the director, deputy-director and inspector general of the Kosovo
Intelligence Agency. Moreover, the president, in consultation with the prime minister,
57 On issues of organised crime, corruption and war crimes.
58 From those twenty seats, ten seats are reserved for local Serbian community representatives whereas
ten others are reserved for the other recognised local minorities living in Kosovo.
59 In general, the role of the Assembly of Kosovo is broad and includes but is not limited to the following:
adopting laws; amending constitution; ratifying treaties; announcing referenda; approving
budgets; electing the president, government and Kosovo Judicial Council; proposing judges for the
Constitutional Court; overseeing the work of the government and implementing foreign and security
policies; giving consent to the president’s decree for announcing the state of emergency; and deciding
other general issues as set forth by law.
60 The current constitutional reform, however, will foresee modifications of the provision related to
the role of the president in which he/she will be elected directly by citizens and this role is expected to
be more important.