Kosovo’s Interior Minister, Skender Hyseni met on Tuesday with the Commander of NATO Joint Force Naples, Admiral Mark Ferguson. Hyseni and Ferguson discussed the issue of security for the people of Kosovo and the rule of law. Admiral Ferguson expressed his willingness and commitment to support Ministry of Internal Affairs in its development path. Topic of discussion was also the issue of cross-border cooperation with neighboring countries in maintaining peace and security, and Kosovo’s progress in combating organized crime, corruption and violent extremism.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the German Embassy begun today a project to support the Kosovo Police in combating high-level corruption. The project, financed by the Government of Germany, will be implemented by OSCE mission and foresees the establishment of a key group of criminal investigators and prosecutors from the Kosovo Police and the Special Prosecution, as well as strengthening their capacity to investigate cases of high-level corruption effectively.

The Police Inspectorate of Kosovo (PIK) is investigating 305 members of the Kosovo Police (KP). This figure is derived only for 2014. The Police Inspectorate which is responsible for police assistance in improving performance, has dealt with a total of 1,304 cases for one year. Measures and recommendations given by PIK during 2014, have included: 20 arrests, 64 recommendations for suspensions and 13 recommendations for transfer. During the same year PIK has investigated 83 criminal acts with elements of corruption and abuse of official duty.

Representatives of rule of law institutions held a joint meeting on Monday in order to coordinate actions to be taken in combating corruption. The meeting was attended by Acting Head State Prosecutor Syle Hoxha, head of the Kosovo Judicial Council Enver Peci, director of the Kosovo Police, Shpend Maxhuni, representatives of the Supreme Court and EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) judges and prosecutors.