Prishtina, 18 July 2022
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosova, Albin Kurti, met with the ambassador of Switzerland in Kosova, Mr. Thomas Kolly and the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosova, Ambassador Michael Davenport, with whom they discussed the initiative to create the Translation and Harmonization Unit, within the Office of the Prime Minister. The Commissioner for Languages, Mr. Slavisha Mladenovic and the Prime Minister’s advisor for community issues, Mrs. Elizabeth Gowing were also present in the meeting.
The Prime Minister thanked Ambassador Kolly for the support of the Swiss Embassy and the help in the establishment of this Unit, through which the correct translation of laws and by-laws will be ensured, as well as previous laws that have not been correctly translated into both official languages of Kosovo will be reviewed.
With the creation of the Unit, respect for the Law on the Use of Languages and respect for the rights of communities is ensured, but it also contributes to the rule of law.
Prime Minister Kurti thanked Ambassador Davenport for the assistance of the OSCE during the drafting of the concept document of this initiative, as well as for the readiness to continue support during its implementation.
Ambassador Kolly wished for a successful start of the process for the establishment of the Unit and welcomed the actions taken so far for the creation of new jobs within the Unit, as well as the creation of the working group within the Office of the Prime Minister, which will deal with the drafting of new regulations for the Unit.
Ambassador Davenport congratulated the Prime Minister for his interest and personal commitment to ensure the use of official languages. He has welcomed the work of the Commissioner for Languages within the Office of the Prime Minister and the achievements so far.
Also, Ambassador Davenport has praised the opening of the Balkan Studies Program at the University of Pristina, as the only example in the region where Balkan languages are studied, which, according to him, is a very good opportunity for the training of future quality translation staff by students who study the Albanian language and those who study the Serbian language.
Last modified: July 19, 2022