In a still unresolved situation regarding the Danish-Kosovar prison agreement, Kosovo’s president, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, expresses optimism about a swift solution. The agreement, concerning the lease of 300 prison spots to Denmark, has been under negotiation for three years and still needs to be ratified in Kosovo’s parliament. During a democracy summit in Copenhagen organized by Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s Alliance of Democracies, President Osmani-Sadriu assured that Kosovo is committed to fulfilling its international obligations. “We will do everything in our power to ensure that the necessary majority is achieved,” she told Ritzau.
The lack of adoption is primarily due to the opposition in Kosovo blocking international agreements, leading to calls for new elections. In order for an international agreement to be passed in Kosovo’s parliament, a two-thirds majority is required, and the government therefore needs support from opposition parties. According to the president, there are signs of progress. “There are discussions between the parliamentary majority and the opposition right now on this issue. At least one of the opposition parties has indicated that they will show up in parliament to vote on all international agreements,” she explained.
Former Danish Minister of Justice Nick Hækkerup (Social Democrats) had announced in April 2022 that the agreement was signed and awaiting approval. The expectation was that the first foreign nationals sentenced for deportation could begin their imprisonment in the new prison near Gjilan in early 2023. While patience still seems to be evident from Danish politicians, both the spokespersons for the Liberal Party and the Conservatives, Preben Bang Henriksen and Tobias Grotkjær Elmstrøm, have expressed concerns and mentioned the possibility of seeking alternatives if the agreement does not become a reality soon.
Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard has confirmed that from the Danish side, “pressure is being applied” to get the agreement passed, and he also visited Kosovo in February to advance the process.