Today’s news / Kosovo’s gov revives Danish prison deal
50 kilometers from Kosovo's capital, Pristina, lies the Gjilan prison, where Denmark intends to let 300 sentenced foreigners serve their prison sentences. (Archive photo). Photo: Uncredited/Ritzau Scanpix

Kosovo’s gov revives Danish prison deal

Despite the Kosovo parliament rejecting a deal to lease 300 prison spaces to Denmark last week, the Kosovo government is reasserting the same proposal. Kosovo’s Vice Justice Minister, Blerim Sallahu, mentioned that negotiations with Denmark would continue with the same agreement. This move goes against parliamentary practice, according to Eugen Cakolli from Transparency International Kosovo, who believes international agreement votes are final. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard of Denmark stated that both sides are willing to ensure the deal happens. To pass international deals, a two-thirds majority in Kosovo’s parliament is required, but only 75 of the needed 80 members supported it. Opposition politician Hykmete Bajrami expressed she would vote against it again. After about three years since being initiated, the agreement, valued at 1.5 billion DKK over ten years, awaits ratification while internal political disagreements persist in Kosovo.