27 September 2022

The Balkans Group published the policy analysis on the Kosovo Security Council: Reforming the Secretariat or establishing a Security Agency.

This analysis provides an overview of the problems that prevent the full and proper functioning of the Kosovo Security Council and recommendations for legal and structural changes that would improve its functioning.

As the country’s highest advisory institution for security, the Kosovo Security Council so far has been accompanied by significant problems, especially in inter-institutional coordination, limited powers of the Secretariat, and the lack of capacities of the Secretariat and a mechanism that would lead or coordinate all activities.

This key institution for security policies has been neglected by all previous governments, showing no readiness and desire for its complete consolidation.

Another shortcoming that does not allow proper functioning is the absence of the Law on Declaring a State of Emergency, which the Constitution superficially regulates.

The main recommendations stemming from this analysis are:

1. Reorganize the Secretariat and the powers of managers and
2. Transform the Secretariat of the Kosovo Security Council into a (National) Security Agency within the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Balkans Group compared security councils in countries in the region and beyond to complete the analysis.

We consider that implementing the recommendations presented in our analysis will transform the KSC into a functional institution that will fulfill the purpose of the KSC.