Prishtina, 19 September 2025
Honourable Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi,
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Honourable staff of the Prime Minister’s Office and members of the media,
Dear citizens,
At today’s meeting we have a series of decisions relating to important investments and infrastructure projects in Kosovo’s municipalities. On the agenda we have the decision on the expropriation of properties affected by the further implementation of the Affordable and Social Housing Project in Podujevë. There, two buildings are being constructed with 133 housing units, of which 106 are dedicated to affordable housing and 27 to social housing, covering a total area of more than 20,000 square meters. The investment value is nearly €13.6 million, and the works are ongoing.
In Ferizaj, we are expropriating properties managed by the KPA for the construction of the Sports and Culture Centre. In the Municipality of Prizren, we are also moving forward with the project for Educational and Sports Facilities in Dushanovë. In Suhareka, we are continuing the expropriation procedures, paving the way for the rehabilitation and expansion of the road in the village of Mushtisht, which connects the municipality of Suhareka with that of Shtërpcë. Similarly, we are proceeding with the construction of the Korishë-Kabash Road, linking with the Regional Road R-118.
Next, we have the decision on expropriation of properties for the implementation of the FLLOWS project in Gjilan, a major capital project for the municipality’s water supply network, which currently suffers from 52% technical water losses. This €15 million project, financed by the World Bank and the Regional Water Company Hidromorava, will invest in the main water supply network, reducing technical losses and ensuring a sustainable water supply. Also, in Gjilan, we are finalizing the expropriations for the implementation of the City Outer Ring Road project and its connection to the main roads, a joint investment of the ministry and the municipality worth €27 million. Meanwhile, we will also consider the preliminary decision for the expropriation of properties for the Old City Ring Road, Lots 1 and 2.
With regard to last week’s announcement from the U.S. Embassy, first, we want to clarify to our citizens that it concerns the suspension of planning for the Strategic Dialogue, not the Strategic Dialogue as an initiated process, nor of our regular communication, which remains ongoing. We have not broken ties with the United States, but we do have some differences.
Although the opposition is exaggerating every event concerning our government’s relations with the U.S. government in a negative light, I do not wish to minimize recent developments. I assure our citizens that our government takes the statements and positions of the U.S. Embassy seriously. Throughout our mandate, we have worked to strengthen our relations and partnership with the United States of America in three main pillars: diplomacy, defense, and development. In the diplomatic pillar, we have certain differences, and these very often relate to our positions regarding Serbia and actions against its illegal structures in Kosovo. While we agree on values, interests, and goals, sometimes we do not agree on operational and tactical matters. Despite these difficulties in this pillar, undoubtedly, there has been substantial progress in the other two pillars, those of defense and development. Military cooperation is continuing, and the purchase of equipment and ammunition with the current administration is proceeding even more effectively. In the development pillar, our government removed the 10% tariff on products of U.S. origin, and the new administration there continued the Compact Program of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for the Republic of Kosovo.
The relations, ties, and bonds between the Republic of Kosovo and the United States of America and our peoples are deep and go beyond governments. They are built on a long history and strong foundations, based on shared values and significant achievements. We are confident that continuous communication, which is regular, will enable us to continue moving forward together.
Thank you!
And now we move on with today’s meeting agenda as already announced.
