Today’s news / Kosovo to renegotiate prison deal with Denmark
Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard (S), who is responsible for Denmark's agreement with Kosovo on the lease of 300 prison places, is here photographed in the conversation room at Christiansborg. (Archive photo). Photo: Linda Kastrup/Ritzau Scanpix

Kosovo to renegotiate prison deal with Denmark

The future of the agreement for Denmark to rent 300 prison places in Kosovo became uncertain following a lack of majority support in the Kosovo parliament on Thursday. Kosovo’s Vice Minister of Justice, Blerim Sallahu, stated that they will need to renegotiate with Denmark on how to proceed. The deal is considered legally ‘dead’, according to Eugen Cakolli from Transparency International Kosovo. Despite attempts by the government to gather support from opposition parties, which is necessary due to the two-thirds majority requirement, the agreement did not secure enough votes, with only 75 of the needed 80 members voting in favor. The rejection is seen as damaging relations between Kosovo and Denmark. The treaty, awaiting approval for over two years, was expected to see extradited foreigners start serving time in Kosovo’s Gjilan prison from early 2023. Denmark was set to pay 1.5 billion kroner over ten years for the lease.