The Budget Committee approved its terms of reference with nine votes in favor, with no votes against or abstentions. However, the committee members also did not support the LDK proposal, which would oblige ministers to report directly to this parliamentary body.
During the meeting, the chairman of the Commission, Enver Haliti, presented the scope of activities in detail, emphasizing that it is a functional and permanent commission, which deals with all issues related to the budget and public finances.
“The Commission is a functional and permanent commission. The Commission, within its scope and responsibilities, reviews all issues related to the budget and finances. The scope of the commission includes, reviewing the annual draft law on budget allocations and its revision. Reviewing draft laws in the field of public finances and finances in general. Reviewing draft laws for the ratification of international agreements for the assumption of financial obligations by the Republic of Kosovo and making recommendations to the Assembly of the Republic. Reviewing draft laws and proposed amendments in terms of their budgetary impact within its responsibilities as a permanent commission and recommending them to the relevant functional committee and to the Assembly.
The right to propose and draft draft laws. Review of the annual financial report of the budget of the Republic of Kosovo. Review of annual reports of institutions, independent bodies that report to the Assembly and that fall within the scope of the committee. Supervision of the implementation of public policies and legislation in the field of public finance management, accounting and financial reporting standards, public debt, public procurement, macroeconomic and fiscal policies and state aid. Supervision of the implementation of laws within its scope of activity. Organization of public hearings. Reporting on the initiative of the committee or at the request of the Assembly in plenary session on issues from its field of activity, review of other issues determined by this regulation", emphasized Haliti.
MP Besian Mustafa requested that the scope include the review of the annual financial reports of ministries, arguing that currently only independent institutions and bodies are mentioned.
"There is a lack of review of the annual financial reports of the ministries, each of which has a legal obligation to report these reports to the Ministry of Finance. Here, the obligation for the government itself to report this annual financial report to this committee is presented, but not the ministries. Therefore, I propose that we add the item of review of the annual reports of the ministries," said Mustafa.
On the other hand, MP Shqipe Metaj from VV assessed that the current formulation could include reports from relevant institutions and that the details could be clarified through the Committee's work plan.
"Colleague, we are talking about the scope of activity, and perhaps all of this includes reviewing the reports of all institutions. Then, the independent bodies that report to the Assembly. In the action plan and the committee, it can be branched out and simplified as to which institution reports to us," said Metaj.
Mustafa responded to this, insisting that the aforementioned point is not included.
"I would agree 100 percent with my colleague if point 7 meant reviewing the annual reports of all institutions, but it does not say that. It only singles out institutions, independent bodies. So, it has excluded the others and only includes independent institutions or bodies," Mustafa added.
MP Valon Hoti requested clarification about the institutions that would be included, while Chairman Haliti emphasized that changes are not necessary, as the practice so far has not encountered any difficulties and any intervention could complicate the functioning of the Commission.
"I do not believe there is a need to make changes because it could complicate our work and the scope of the commission," said Haliti.
Mustafa's proposal did not receive enough votes, while the Commission's scope of activities was approved in its existing form.
Regarding the next point, the review and approval of the Committee's Work Plan for the spring session, the Chairman of the Budget Committee, Enver Haliti, said that it is necessary to take a week's time, so that the deputies have the opportunity to analyze and, if they have proposals, to submit them to the secretariat before the next meeting.
The Committee is continuing with other items, including the review and approval of the Committee's Work Plan for the spring session. /KP/
