Prishtina, 5 April, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated today in the manifestation of “Roma Versitas Kosova”, in honor of April 8, the International Day of the Roma, where the awarding of prizes for the vital contribution of the personalities of the Roma community took place.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction that today they were together to mark the International Roma Day, but also to express gratitude to the personalities of the Roma community who have contributed to Kosovo.
“Every day, all of us, including me, are witnesses of the achievements of the Roma community. I visited libraries with books in the Romani language. I met poets and academics of the community, who enrich and promote Roma literature. I was part of the swearing-in ceremony of Roma officers, members of the Kosovo Police and the Kosovo Security Force. At the Open Day organized by the Government, at the Academy of Public Safety in Vushtrri, to inspire girls and boys of the community for a career in this important sector for the state and for all of us, I talked with many young people with the will and dedication to career and contribution to the security of the country”, said the Prime Minister.
As he mentioned and listed all the initiatives that have been undertaken for the Roma community, the Prime Minister emphasized that our approach is very dimensional, because we want that in addition to the enjoyment of equal rights, such are the opportunities for each and every citizen of the Republic.
At the end of his speech, the Prime Minister added that our support for the Roma community in Kosovo is greater than ever, as is the contribution of the Roma community to our society. “Like here today, I wish that your contribution will be widely recognized and that we will continue to have, and have together, new achievements and other successes that make all of us proud”, he said.
The list of winners of life contribution awards for the personalities of the Roma community in Kosovo:
• Roma Education Fund, for contribution to education
• Ibishi Association, for contribution to advocacy and human rights
• Daut Qylangjiu, for contribution to media and mass communication
• Osman Osmani, for contribution to primary and secondary education
• Isak Skenderi, for contribution to education, employment, housing and political dialogue
• Shpresa Agushi, for contribution to gender integration and gender equality
• Kujtim Paçaku, for his contribution to the Romani language and literacy
• Nexhim Menekshe, for contribution to culture and theater
• Ibrahim Elshani, for contribution to Romani language and literacy
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Your Excellency, Ms. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, president of the Republic of Kosovo,
The honorable deputy of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Erxhan Galushi,
The honorable Mr. Avni Mustafa, Executive Director at “Roma Versitas Kosovo”,
Dear attendees,
Ladies and gentlemen, sisters and brothers,
It is a pleasure that today we are together to mark the International Roma Day, but also to express gratitude to the personalities of the Roma community who have contributed to Kosovo.
Every day, all of us, including me, witness the achievements of the Roma community. I visited libraries with books in the Romani language. I met poets and academics of the community, who enrich and promote Roma literature. I was part of the swearing-in ceremony of Roma officers, members of the Kosovo Police and the Kosovo Security Force. At the Open Day organized by the Government, at the Academy of Public Safety in Vushtrri, to inspire girls and boys of the community for a career in this important sector for the state and for all of us, I talked with many young people with the will and dedication to career and contribution to the security of the country.
Last week we had a round table with the students of the Roma community of the “Ukshin Hoti” University in Prizren. I had the pleasure of listening closely to the students, such as the first Roma student from Kosovo who is studying for a doctorate, and the author of the book “Melodies of Resistance” which tells the stories of women who contributed to Roma culture in the mid-70s and the 90s. We saw the brilliance of the Roma actor as he played a role in the touching drama about the Holocaust against the Roma. Impressive talent and dedication in that group.
Our government is committed to the education and professional development of pupils and students. In addition to investing in education for all children and students, we have created opportunities especially for non-majority communities. For this, we have allocated 200,000 euros for learning centers in 2023, and the same amount in the previous year 2022. Meanwhile, we have provided support for high school students through 500 scholarships per year. In addition to providing free public university education to all students, we have provided 55 special scholarships to cover other expenses incurred by students as part of a collaboration between the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Local Government Administration and we established the inter-institutional working group for the prevention and reporting of early marriages, because we do not want any girl or boy to drop out of school. The cases of discrimination reported through the Online Raporo Discriminim platform are being addressed. At the end of last year, for the second time we hosted the Regional Summit against Discrimination against Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities.
In June 2022, we established the Inter-Institutional Team for the Promotion of Employment of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, with representation not only of institutions but also of Non-Governmental Organizations that work with the communities. We have seen how the work of the team has had an impact, for example through open competitions for non-majority communities in the ministries of the Government of Kosovo. So far we have 18 jobs, and dozens more will be announced in the coming months. This is how we aim to fulfill the quota of 10 percent. Also, in cases of employment for members of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities through the Employment Agency, we have an increase of 31% from 2022 to 2023.
So, we are not comparing ourselves with previous governments, we are comparing ourselves. 31% have more employment last year than in 2022.
In order to facilitate the employment of students who have studied in the Serbian language, we continue with the verification of diplomas issued by the University in North Mitrovica. This month begins the verification of diplomas issued by secondary schools in Kosovo with lessons conducted in the Serbian language, and it is known that there are also Roma who have done this. Therefore, we hope that we will also have from the Roma community who have learned in the Serbian language and who will apply during the summer to the universities of the Republic of Kosovo.
Meanwhile, we have continued the institutional support in many forms. 146 Roma families have been supported with electrical household appliances, furniture, hygiene and food packages, or help for businesses during the past year from the grants of the Ministry for Communities and Return.
Our approach is very dimensional, because we want that in addition to the enjoyment of equal rights, the opportunities for each and every citizen of the Republic should also be the same.
As you know the population census has started today, April 5, 2024. Therefore, I invite you to participate in the census, so that the needs of the community are accurately known and can be accurately addressed.
Both development planning and budget allocation depend on the accuracy of the overview that we create for the general population, especially for communities, which is called the population census. It will last a total of 6 weeks, from April 5 to May 17, but don’t leave it to the last week, the sooner the better and cooperate with the registrars, who this weekend, this weekend only will have physical maps when they register the population from Monday they will have the digital maps on their tablets.
Our support for the Roma community in Kosovo is greater than ever, as is the contribution of the Roma community to our society. As here today, I wish that your contribution is widely recognized and that we continue to have, and have together, new achievements and other successes that make us all proud.
I thank you and wish you all the best for International Roma Day! Bahtalo Romano Dive!
Last modified: April 8, 2024