The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti has reacted today regarding the dismissal of politically appointed ambassadors in their duties.
Kurti in a post on the social network ‘Facebook’ writes that this is the right step towards the return of legality in this department, while he said that the procedures for sending diplomats to diplomatic missions will soon begin, where the significantly larger number will be made up of career diplomats.
“As Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, I agreed with the proposal of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs. Donika Gërvalla, for the release of ambassadors appointed with a political key.
This proposal of Deputy Prime Minister Gërvalla, decreed by the President, Mrs. Vjosa Osmani, is the first step in the necessary reform in the Foreign Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora. We have launched this reform during our first Government of Spring 2020, and we have announced it in our electoral commitments and our governing program.
The released ambassadors have given their contribution to the country, for which we thank them. But previous governments have overloaded the Foreign Service with political diplomats, thus exceeding the legal quota. Therefore, this step is the right step towards restoring legitimacy in this department.
In coordination with Deputy Prime Minister Gërvalla, President Osmani and the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, without wasting time we will start the procedures for sending diplomats to our diplomatic missions, where the significantly larger number will be career diplomats.
“Legality, structural reforms and the establishment of mechanisms of professionalism and meritocracy are the pillars on which our government will build a dignified representation of our Republic in the international arena,” he wrote.
The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, approved on May 19 the proposal of the Government of Kosovo, for dismissal of politically appointed ambassadors.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has confirmed that it is about the departure of 13 ambassadors. They are Beqë Cufaj- Germany, Nait Hasani – Albania, Arbër Vllahiu – Czech Republic, Lirim Grejqevci – Netherlands, Shpend Kallaba – Hungary, Gezim Kasapolli – Croatia, Avni Kastrati – Slovenia, Gjergj Dedaj – Northern Macedonia, Hajdin Abazi – Australia, Yl Hysa – Montenegro, Avni Arifi – United Arab Emirates, Amir Ahmeti – Qatar and Ambassador to France, Qëndrim Gashi.
