Office for Kosovo and Metohija

Office for Kosovo and Metohija is an adjacent body of the Government of Serbia.^[1] It was constituted on April 2, 2012 via founding statute.^[1]

Background

Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija

The Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija (Министарство за Косово и Метохију) was a ministry in the Cabinet of Serbia (2008–12). Its minister was Goran Bogdanović.

History

The office was constituted as part of the new government constituted on July 27, 2012,^[2] and it replaced Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija which existed in the last convocation of the Government.

Organization

The director is in charge of the Office, and is appointed by the Government of Serbia. The mandate of the director is 5 years. The director position is currently occupied by Marko Duric.^[3]

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction of the Office is established by its statute:

• Monitoring of conclusion and implementation of international agreements related to Kosovo and Metohija.^[4]
• Maintaining contacts with international organizations, countries, NGOs and other relevant institutions regarding the future status of Kosovo and Metohija ^[4]
• Monitoring the implementation of international agreements in the field of human rights in Kosovo and Metohija.^[4]
• Monitoring compliance with Resolution 1244 and the Constitutional Framework in the process of concluding international agreements by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General.^[4]
• Analysis of the drafts of resolutions submitted to the UN Security Council.^[4]
• Monitoring, cooperation and coordination with international military forces.^[4]
• Protection of rights and the return of refugees and internally displaced persons from Kosovo and Metohija, as well as internally displaced persons in Kosovo and Metohija.^[5]
• Repair and construction of houses for the returnees, building the infrastructure, the provision of humanitarian and emergency aid for vulnerable Serbian and non-Albanian population in Kosovo and Metohija.^[5]
• The implementation of the decision centers for social work and child protection.^[5]
• Informing social work centers and concerned citizens of recognized and implemented social benefits.^[5]
• Recording and processing of submissions, as well as all interested parties from Kosovo and Metohija in relation to the rights of labor relations and labor law.^[5]
• Cooperation with the National Employment Service and proposing measures for improvement of informing citizens about the job vacancies in Kosovo and Metohija, the benefits for the unemployed and employers, as well as finding employment opportunities.^[5]
• Functioning of the institutions of the Republic of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija.^[6]
• Social policy, culture, media, religious issues, restoration of cultural and spiritual heritage of Serbia and the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo.^[6]
• Infrastructure and telecommunications in the Serbian areas of Kosovo and Metohija.^[6]
• Financial, legal, technical and professional assistance in all areas of significance for Serbs and other non-Albanian communities in Kosovo and Metohija.^[6]
• Legal protection of persons belonging to national minorities and legal persons from Kosovo and Metohija.^[6]
• Coordination of activities in the field of economy and economic development with line ministries and other relevant bodies and organizations of the Republic of Serbia.^[6]
• Improving the energy, transport and telecommunications.^[6]
• Formulation of draft legislation which provides substantial autonomy of Kosovo and the implementation of state policy to protect the territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, as well as other functions from the Department.^[6]

List of directors

Minister	Image	Party	Term start	Term end	Lifespan
Aleksandar Vulin		Movement of Socialists (PS)	27 July 2012	2 September 2013	1972–
Marko Đurić		Serbian Progressive Party (SNS)	2 September 2013	Present	1983–

References