Prenkaj: Von der Leyen and Kurti met in the Assembly because holding two public offices is illegal

Former Kosovo Ambassador to Italy, Albert Prenkaj, stated that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met yesterday with Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti in the Assembly because government premises could not be used following the Constitutional Court’s decision that holding two public offices is illegal.

“Since the only functioning democratic institutions in Kosovo for the time being remain the Assembly and the Presidency, von der Leyen adhered to the EU’s statement following the court’s ruling that holding two public offices is unlawful, and therefore met with Kurti in the Assembly premises,” Prenkaj told Kosovo Online.

He emphasized that von der Leyen’s visit to the Western Balkans aimed to reaffirm the EU’s policy of enlargement through the Growth Plan.

“Despite the challenges caused by political disagreements since February this year, von der Leyen continues to insist on building strong institutions, de-escalating tensions, and finalizing the steps for integrating projects from the Growth Plan, which countries in the region are already benefiting from,” Prenkaj added.

He recalled the EU’s punitive measures against Kosovo, noting that they are the result of stubborn and unbalanced policies.

“Because of the stubborn and uncoordinated policies, and the lack of coordination with its allies, Kosovo is under sanctions from official Brussels, while recently the US also suspended the strategic dialogue with Kosovo. In the meantime, the same initiative has been launched between the US and Serbia, and continues with North Macedonia,” Prenkaj concluded.