Established in 2003 for the purpose of harmonising the Croatian public procurement system with the European Union's acquis communautaire, the DKOM has characteristics of both a judicial and an administrative body in terms of its organisation and powers.
The structure and the results of the DKOM were presented at today's working meeting between the State Commission and the European Commission Delegation.
The DKOM is recognised as an independent body people can turn to in order to be sure that principles of the rule of law are respected in the spending of taxpayers' money, Degert told reporters after meeting DKOM president Goran Matesic.
The European Commission has introduced two benchmarks for the negotiating chapter on public procurement -- the adoption of an action plan specifying time limits for the implementation of reforms and a single public procurement policy for all areas.
Asked by Hina when the two benchmarks would be met, Matesic said that it would be soon.
Degert said that Croatia's public procurement supervision system was not adjusted to that of the European Union at the moment and that it was a key issue that should be addressed. He added that in the process of negotiation between Zagreb and Brussels it was most important for all Croatian state bodies to show that they were working effectively and transparently.