Head of EU Office in Kosovo reiterates call to MPs to adopt the Civil Code

English

Gazeta Express

29/04/2022 16:19

Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Ambassador, Tomas Szunyog, has announced that Friday marked the completion of the EU support for the development of the Draft Civil Code.

Ambassador Szunyog in a Tweet called on MPs to adopt the Code stating that the Draft Code ensures the rights for all people in Kosovo in line with the EU values.

“Today marks the completion of the ?? support for the development of the draft Kosovo Civil Code. I am proud that we have the draft Code that ensures rights for all people in Kosovo in line with EU values. I call on MPs to adopt the Code and reaffirm EU support for its implementation,” Szunyog said.

In March the Assembly of Kosovo failed to adopt the new Civil Code allowing among other things registration of civil unions between persons of the same sex. The Draft Civil Code was opposed by majority of MPs of both ruling and opposition parties, arguing that an article of the new Code paves the way for the same-sex marriages. The Constitution of Kosovo recognizes that everyone has the right to marry and the right to have a family as provided by law. However, the Civil Code as presented before MPs states that “registered civil unions between persons of the same sex are allowed,” but does not provide any mechanism for registering or recognizing those unions, stating only that “conditions and procedures are regulated by a special law.”

The Draft Code was returned to the Government for reconsideration. Government officials have announced that they will soon re-proceed the Draft Civil Code for approval. The Head of the EU Office said in March that failure to do approve the Civil Code was disappointing. /GazetaExpress/