Appendix ANNEX II Terms of Reference of the EU — Kosovo Subcommittees and Special Groups

The subcommittees and the special groups on public administration reform (PAR) and on normalisation shall be composed of representatives of the European Commission, the European External Action Service in the case of the special group on normalisation, and representatives of Kosovo. They shall be chaired alternately by both parties. The Member States will be informed and invited to the meetings of the subcommittees and the special groups on PAR and on normalisation.

An official of the European Commission, or of the European External Action Service in the case of the special group on normalisation, and an official of Kosovo shall act jointly as secretaries of each of the subcommittees and the special groups.

All communications concerning the subcommittees and special groups shall be forwarded to the secretaries of the relevant subcommittee and of the special groups.

The subcommittees and the special groups shall meet whenever circumstances require, with the agreement of both Parties. Each meeting of a subcommittee or special group shall be held at a time and place agreed by both Parties.

If both Parties agree, the subcommittees and the special groups may invite experts to their meetings to provide the specific information requested.

The Chair and the secretaries shall draw up a provisional agenda for each meeting not later than 30 working days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include items in respect of which a request for inclusion has been received by the secretaries not later than 35 working days before the beginning of the meeting.

Following the agreement of the provisional agenda for each meeting and not later than 10 working days before the beginning of the meeting, the secretary on behalf of Kosovo shall submit to the secretary on behalf of the European Commission, or the European External Action Service in the case of the special group on normalisation, the necessary written documentation following the items agreed in the provisional agenda.

If the deadline referred to in the third paragraph is not respected, the meeting shall be automatically cancelled without further notice.

The subcommittees shall discuss issues related to the areas of the Agreement as listed in the multidisciplinary subcommittee structure. Progress regarding the approximation, implementation and enforcement of legislation shall be assessed under all subject matters. The subcommittees shall examine any problems that may arise in their relevant sectors and shall suggest possible steps to be taken.

The subcommittees shall also serve as fora for the further clarification of the acquis and shall review progress made by Kosovo in conforming to the acquis in line with commitments taken under the Agreement.

The special group on PAR shall discuss issues related to public administration reform and suggest possible steps to be taken. The special group on normalisation shall discuss issues related to the visible and sustainable improvement of Kosovo's relations with Serbia, and effective cooperation with the Common Security and Defence Policy mission while in place, and suggest possible steps to be taken.

Minutes shall be taken for and agreed after each meeting. A copy of the minutes shall be forwarded by the secretary of the subcommittee or the special group to the Secretary of the Stabilisation and Association Committee.

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittees and the special groups shall not be public.