Acting Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, has rejected claims that the Law on Foreigners could be used as a mechanism for institutional pressure on Serbs in Kosovo. In an interview with RTK2, Bislimi also spoke about plans to integrate the healthcare and education systems that operate under the Serbian system, as well as the role of local government in this process.
Asked about the concerns of Serbs in Kosovo that the Law on Foreigners could be used as a "mechanism for institutional pressure", the acting Deputy Prime Minister stressed: "The law grants, not restricts, rights. No foreigner should be afraid of the law; a person who gains status under this law will be institutionally protected. The law is not selective and will not target a single nationality", stressed Bislimi.
In addition to the laws on foreigners and vehicles, Bislimi also spoke about the integration of healthcare and education, which still operate under the Serbian system. He stressed that the problem is not in the implementation of the law, but in the institutions, which, according to him, need to be “legalized and legitimized.”
"It takes time for these institutions to be incorporated into the legal framework of Kosovo. An important role in this process is played by the mayors of municipalities. They have great powers in education and health and have budgets foreseen for financing these categories. Mayors of municipalities with a Serb majority have more powers than mayors of other municipalities. Serbia can also financially assist municipalities with a Serb majority," said Bislimi.
He further emphasized that there is an initiative to integrate health and education.
"We have five or six very important weeks ahead of us, where we need to be very constructive. The acting Minister of Local Self-Government, Elbert Krasniqi, has sent an invitation to all mayors of municipalities with a Serb majority for a meeting on Friday (February 13) at 10:00. What can we do together to move this process forward? The invitation was sent last week, until today (February 10) we only have one confirmation. It would be good for the mayors to be as responsible as possible at this stage, because the well-being of their citizens depends mainly on the approach they will follow in the coming weeks," Bislimi added.
Bislimi also said that he is in negotiations with international donors to complete a study on the needs of the entire healthcare system in Kosovo, with the aim of improving healthcare for citizens.
"The hospital in North Mitrovica is not in good condition. It is not good for a patient to be sent to any of the hospitals in Serbia for a minor intervention or need, just because the services are free. There is a willingness of the Government of Kosovo to improve healthcare and the quality of education in North Mitrovica."
