Malishevë, 7 May 2026
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by the Acting Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Dimal Basha, participated in the ceremony marking the commencement of works on the project “Reconstruction of Regional Road R119, Kijevë–Malishevë segment.”
“With the reconstruction of the Kijevë–Malishevë road, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is making an extremely important investment for the residents of Malishevë and the entire Llapusha area, and beyond,” said the Acting Prime Minister.
Acting Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that, beyond connecting the five villages along the Kijevë–Malishevë segment, the road serves 18 villages in the area on a daily basis. He added that the road unlocks development potential and supports tourism, because besides local residents, it will also be used by visitors not only from Kosovo who travel to visit the Mirusha Waterfalls.
Speech by Prime Minister Kurti:
Dear citizens,
Dear journalists,
It is a pleasure to gather here for the commencement of works on the reconstruction of a highly important road, a vital infrastructure project for the residents of this area and beyond.
You know that many efforts have been made to stop and obstruct the mandate that the people gave us in the greatest measure in post-war Kosovo, but we do not stop launching new, good, and certainly beneficial projects for the citizens of the Republic.
With the reconstruction of the Kijevë–Malishevë road, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is making an extremely important investment for the residents of Malishevë and the entire Llapusha area, and beyond.
This road has a total length of over 11 kilometers and is a key connection for Malishevë and the five villages along this route. The project includes complete reconstruction, from the foundation layer to the final asphalt paving.
Both before and after the war, there were only patch repairs and maintenance on this road until the next deterioration and damage occurred, but now we are undertaking the full reconstruction of this highly valuable road.
The works commencing now cover a segment of 8.5 kilometers, while procurement procedures for the remaining section will begin soon.
I would like to mention not only these five villages, but all 18 villages along the Kijevë–Malishevë road that use this road daily: Mirusha, Gurbardhi, Lumishta, Turjaka, Panorci, Rudi, Damaneku, Qypeva, Bubli, then Llapqeva, Drenoc, Bubavec, Kijevë, Balincë, Vërmicë, Mleqan, Plloqicë, and Golluboc. The road also connects Malishevë with the national road leading to Peja.
This road unlocks development potential and supports tourism, because it will be used not only by local residents, but also by visitors from Kosovo and beyond who travel to visit the Mirusha Waterfalls.
The previous condition of the road caused major traffic difficulties, but with this investment we aim to improve it as soon as possible. We were informed by the economic operator that the project will require a total of 225 working days for completion, so that traffic becomes faster and safer.
Now, in populated areas where sidewalks are lacking, they will be constructed, while existing sidewalks will be repaired and made fully functional, together with bus stations. Modern road signage will also be installed in order to ensure maximum safety for all categories of road users.
Special care will also be given to stormwater drainage, because the road we are reconstructing cannot be properly maintained without adequate drainage infrastructure, ensuring its long-term durability.
Traffic flow and safety will undoubtedly increase. Business costs will decrease, and we will continue implementing this and other similar projects.
…
Alongside this project, the Government of Kosovo is also financing the road from the village of Llapqevë to the Mirusha Waterfalls with €700,000, which is currently under implementation, while the tender was conducted by the municipality. I also inform you that tender procedures are ongoing for the Malishevë–Arllat road, valued at €2.6 million.
Thus, within a short period, more than €5.6 million is being invested in roads in Malishevë.
And dear citizens and respected journalists, these are not pre-election actions, but rather the implementation and fulfillment of our commitments from the elections of 28 December last year, when we received great public trust. The Government continues its good work not merely in a formal and legal sense, but in a practical and concrete one. It is an acting government, always on duty for the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, whom we serve tirelessly and wholeheartedly.
Thank you, and congratulations once again to everyone!
