The development of professional capacities for the fight against corruption and organized crime, a topic of discussion between the Chairman Hajdaraj and the Senior Advisor for Justice Affairs at INL, Mr. Michael Wasco
Prishtinë, 12 March 2024
The Chairman of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council of (KPC), Mr. Ardian Hajdaraj, accompanied by the Deputy Chairperson, Mrs. Jehona Grantolli, received at the meeting the representative of the assessment team of the INL for the Justice Sector in Kosovo, at the same time the Senior Advisor for Justice in the Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) at the US Department of State, Michael Wasco and Ms. Dafina Bardhi – Rexhepi, Program Specialist in INL at the US Embassy in Kosovo.
Initially, Chairman Hajdaraj informed Mr. Wasco, for the intensification of commitment related to the realization of the planned activities for this year and overcoming the challenges of the Prosecutorial Council, in which case he thanked Mr. Wasco, for the great support of the Program for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) in Kosovo, which focuses, among other things, on improving and developing the professional capacities of prosecutors for the fight against corruption and terrorism.
On the other hand, the Senior Legal Adviser at INL, Michael Wasco, thanked Chairman Hajdaraj for the reception, emphasizing the further commitment of INL to provide assistance in the fight against organized crime and the rule of law in the Republic of Kosovo.
Both interlocutors agreed during the discussions that there should be increased cooperation between the KPC and the INL in terms of the implementation of the strategic objectives of the prosecutorial system for the development of transparency and accountability and for strengthening an independent prosecutorial system, ensuring that prosecutorial institutions are free from political interference and meet internationally recognized standards.
INL, through the Department of Justice's Overseas Prosecutorial Assistance, Training and Development Program (OPDAT), supports the training of prosecutors, provides technical assistance, assists in the drafting of legislation, conducts legal analysis and contributes to postgraduate education, providing support to development of rule of law and criminal justice institutions in Kosovo.
