Kurti: We have taken practical steps to help the communities

Prime Minister Albin Kurti, at a table with donors, said that the Government he leads has taken concrete steps to help non-majority communities. He mentioned scholarships, grants and the provision of 1426 jobs last year. The Minister for Communities and Returns, Nenad Rashić, unveiled an initiative that, according to him, aims to bring Albanians and Serbs closer together.

The protection and rights of non-majority communities are treated with priority and attention in the Brussels dialogue, said Prime Minister Albin Kurti, at a round table with donors, on Wednesday. At this table, it was discussed how active labor market measures can help the communities of Kosovo.

"I am particularly happy to see a change since the September meeting, that we have with us today the Minister for Communities and Returns, now Nenad Rashiq, Minister of the Government of Kosovo", said Kurti.

In order to address the problems, Kurti said that he had numerous meetings with members of non-majority communities, including internal dialogue with Kosovo Serbs. According to him, there is no lack of commitment in Brussels either.

"In the dialogue mediated by Brussels, in which I participate together with my team and especially with the chief negotiator Bislimi, the issue of non-majority communities or the protection and rights of minorities is treated with priority and attention all the time", said Kurti.

Kurti stated that the Government he leads has taken practical steps to promote positive changes in this part of society, mentioning scholarships for students, grants and 1426 jobs, which, according to him, were secured last year.

"Our national employment agency last year secured 809 jobs for members of minority communities, including active labor market measures. Last year only 617 jobs were provided to members of minority communities, while the total number of jobs provided through the agency remained almost exactly the same – meaning that year-on-year we have achieved a 31% increase of the number of jobs provided for minority communities", he declared.

The Minister for Communities and Returns, Nenad Rashić, has unveiled an initiative that, according to him, aims to bring Albanians and Serbs closer together.

"It is called the house of friendship, which is a symbolic name and I imagine it to be a house for the Albanian-Serbian society. Maybe I'm too enthusiastic, but I know that we understand each other if we don't let politics interfere", said Rashiqi.

The discussion, according to the organizer, was aimed at presenting to the donors the needs and challenges of the communities.