7 April, 2014 – Within the scope of meetings that Ombudsperson, Mr. Sami Kurteshi has undertaken with newly elected mayors, elected during last local elections held in our country, today he met with the Mayor of Prishtina Municipality, Mr. Shpend Ahmeti.

The issue discussed during this event was concerning complaints addressed to the Ombudsperson Institution, with main emphases to those addressed against Prishtina municipal authorities. During this occasion the Ombudsperson informed Mr. Ahmeti regarding the afflux of complaints lodged with the OI recent years against municipal institutions as well as the nature of these complaints.

Good cooperation between OI and public institution for the benefit of citizens as well as institutions itself was stressed by the Ombudsman on this occasion. Citizens are those who mostly benefit from such open, truthful, respectable and accountable institutional cooperation.

Nevertheless, Mr. Kurteshi pointed out that the municipality, as legal entity, can anytime contact OI regarding consultations or protection of legal rights, as public authority.

On the other hand, Prishtina mayor exposed his great consideration for the Ombudsperson and the work conducted by this institution and revealed his readiness to cooperate on case treatment which are addressed to the Ombudsperson Institution, but at the same time expressed his willingness to take in consideration all remarks that this institution might have on cases when human rights have been breached.

Newly elected mayors Kosovo wide, such as mayor of Peja, Gjakova and Lipjan have been visited by the Ombudsperson, Mr. Sami Kurteshi up to now, but such visits are planned to other municipalities where new mayors have been appointed as well.