The draft statute for the association, drawn up by Western diplomats, clearly foresees the possibility of financial support for the association from Serbia, as well as an efficient and direct channel of communication between the Kosovo Serb community and the Government of Kosovo through the Ministry of Self-Government Administration Local".
The draft drawn up by Western diplomats was kept under a veil of secrecy until now, but A2CNN was able to secure access to it. The document states that the main goal is to create opportunities for the Serbian community to benefit from certain rights and municipal responsibilities, already included in the Constitution and other laws in force. Its drafters, in the introduction, refer to international documents, the Constitution of Kosovo and respect for its independence, autonomy and territorial integrity.
The document clarifies that the Association will have full powers at the local level, but that in no way can it bypass or violate the constitutional and legal rites and their powers.
"The association, established with this statute provides a self-managing framework for the Serbian community within the current local self-government and will not have additional executive powers compared to its member municipalities. The framework includes support for the coordinated provision of services in certain areas, the possibility of financial support from Serbia and a channel of direct communication for the Serbian community with the government of Kosovo through the Ministry of Local Government".
This statute further regulates the responsibilities, scope, organization and functioning of the bodies and all other affairs of the Association and it will be subject to review of its constitutionality by the Constitutional Court before establishment.
Not later than 45 days after the review by the Constitutional Court, the Association must meet to elect, among other things, the leadership of its assembly as well as the president and vice president. It will also have a governing council that resembles a governing body and will have its own official symbols, which may consist of a flag and a coat of arms and may only be used alongside the state symbols of Kosovo. (A2 Televizion)
