Transparency does not just mean meeting the minimum obligations stipulated by law. Information should not only be easily and directly accessible to all those affected by decisions and their implementation, but the decisions that are taken should have accompanying information so that every citizen can understand what kind of decision has been taken.
The obligation of transparency is fulfilled in two ways:
- Citizens have access to official documents, and institutions have a duty to fulfill this right; and
- The obligation of institutions to provide certain categories of data without the need for a specific request by a citizen.
The Constitution of Kosovo has established the right of every citizen to have access to public documents; both at central and local level, creating an obligation on institutions to establish mechanisms for the implementation of this right. The Law on Access to Public Documents regulates this matter in more detail - institutions are obliged to respond within 7 days to requests for access to official documents. In this case, Municipalities are obliged to appoint an officer in charge of receiving and reviewing requests for access to public documents. The Law on Local Self-Government obliges municipal assemblies to establish special regulations for the promotion of transparency in the executive, legislative and administrations of municipalities.