REU, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 108: Orientering om politiske erklæringer om at leje 300 fængselspladser i Kosovo mv., fra justitsministeren

Retsudvalget 2021-22
REU Alm.del Bilag 108
Offentligt

Pristina, 20 December 2021

JOINT STATEMENT

THE GOVERNMENT OF DENMARK

AND

THE GOVERNMENT OF KOSOVO

ON STRENGTHENING THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES

We confirm the close and longstanding cooperation and relationship between Denmark and

Kosovo. Denmark has had a significant presence in Kosovo in the past and contributed to

peacekeeping and the democratic development of Kosovo. We affirm the historically close

ties between our two countries and we share a desire to strengthen our existing bilateral

relations.

We are committed to shared fundamental values and are jointly determined to further

strengthen the rule of law, democracy and human rights. We will also join forces in

accelerating the energy transition and promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.

We are aware of the significant positive developments in notably the correctional service

system in Kosovo, and we agree that by intensifying the cooperation between our two

countries in this area, Kosovo will have the opportunity to further strengthen its correctional

service system.

With the intention of a longer engagement and a closer relationship we agree on working

towards strengthening our bilateral cooperation with the following two initiatives;

REU, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 108: Orientering om politiske erklæringer om at leje 300 fængselspladser i Kosovo mv., fra justitsministeren

Cooperation in the field of the prison services

Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu and Minister of Justice Nick Hækkerup signed a Letter

of Intent stating their joint determination to strengthen their cooperation in the field of the

prison services. To that end the Government of Kosovo states its intention to make prison

capacity in Kosovo for 300 inmates available to the Kingdom of Denmark for which the

Government of Denmark states its intention to pay an annual fee of € 15,000,000 over an

initial five-year period with the possibility for an automatic extension for an additional five-

year period.

Enhanced political and development cooperation

Minister of Economy Dr. Artana Rizvanolli and Minister for Development Cooperation

Flemming Møller Mortensen signed a Letter of Intent concerning enhanced political and

development cooperation.

The two countries agree to conduct regular political consultations in areas of mutual interest

and to strengthen cooperation on green transition and the promotion of rule of law,

democracy and human rights. Pending approval by its appropriating authorities, the

Government of Denmark intends to support relevant programmes and projects in this regard

within the frame of € 30,000,000 over an initial five-year period with a long-term perspective

and through relevant international partners. While the main area of focus for development

cooperation is expected to be within green transition, up to € 2,500,000 will be dedicated

projects to promote rule of law, democracy and human rights.

Minister of Justice,

Ms. Albulena Haxhiu

Minister of Justice,

Mr. Nick Hækkerup

Minister of Economy,

Ms. Artane Rizvanolli

Minister of Development

Cooperation,

Mr. Flemming Møller Mortensen

REU, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 108: Orientering om politiske erklæringer om at leje 300 fængselspladser i Kosovo mv., fra justitsministeren

LETTER OF INTENT

BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF DENMARK AND THE GOVERNMENT OF KOSOVO

CONCERNING ENHANCED POLITICAL AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

___ _______ 2021

The Government of Kosovo, represented by the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli; and

The Government of Denmark, represented by the Minister for Development Cooperation of

Denmark, Flemming Møller Mortensen; hereafter referred to individually as a “Party” and

collectively as the “Parties”,

Recognizing the Joint Statement by the parties on strengthening the cooperation between the

two countries,

Wishing to further strengthening the already excellent bilateral relations,

Considering the significant experience of Denmark in the area of green energy,

Desiring to strengthen mutual ties and cooperation, including in the area of green energy and

rule of law based on principles of equality, mutual respect and reciprocal benefits,

Being fully aware that such cooperation is likely to strengthen relations between the two

countries and desiring to further develop the existing relations of cooperation,

Desiring to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in general through the conduct of regular

consultations,

Have agreed to sign the present Letter of Intent (hereinafter “LoI”) on the following:

REU, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 108: Orientering om politiske erklæringer om at leje 300 fængselspladser i Kosovo mv., fra justitsministeren

The Parties agree to promote cooperation, including in the field of renewable energy, energy

efficiency and energy consumption planning, as well as rule of law, human rights, democracy and

good governance, within the scope of their national legislation.

In order to meet the objectives of this Letter of Intention, the parties shall cooperate on the

following issues, in accordance with their respective national legislation:

a) Promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy consumption planning

projects, including reforms in the energy field outlined in the EU-Kosovo Association

Agenda;

b) Joint developing activities of common interest within rule of law, good governance,

democracy and human rights;

c) Any other collaboration opportunities of interest for both parties.

Pending approval by its appropriating authorities Denmark agrees to provide funding from its

dedicated development funds for the identified cooperation activities.

The Parties agree to conduct regular consultations in areas of mutual interest. The regular

consultation will take at the level of directors with representatives from relevant authorities.

Further consultations at political and high official level may be agreed upon.

The Parties’ foreign ministries (for Denmark the Director of the European Neighborhood

Department and for Kosovo the Director of the Department for Europe and European Union)

are focal points in coordinating bilateral consultations in accordance with this LoI. There will

be a regular contact between the appointed focal points.

While the Parties acknowledge the main objectives set out above, they agree that any specific

arrangements in pursuance of these general objectives will be subject to the normal review and

approval processes at each institution and will be implemented by further signed agreements.

REU, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 108: Orientering om politiske erklæringer om at leje 300 fængselspladser i Kosovo mv., fra justitsministeren

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, duly authorized thereto, have signed this Letter of

Intent.

Signed in duplicate in Pristina, on ………..……..…… 2021, in the English language.

For the Government of Kosovo,

For the Government of Denmark,

Minister of Economy,

Ms. Artane Rizvanolli

Minister of Development

Cooperation,

Mr. Flemming Møller Mortensen

REU, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 108: Orientering om politiske erklæringer om at leje 300 fængselspladser i Kosovo mv., fra justitsministeren

LETTER OF INTENT

BETWEEN

THE GOVERNMENT OF KOSOVO

AND

THE GOVERNMENT OF DENMARK

REGARDING COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF PRISON SERVICES

The Government of Kosovo and the Government of Denmark (hereinafter collectively “the

Governments”),

RECOGNIZING

the Joint Statement by the Governments on strengthening the cooperation

between the two countries;

WISHING

to further strengthen the longstanding cooperation and relationship between the

two countries;

RECOGNIZING

the Letter of Intent between the Governments concerning enhanced

political and development cooperation;

ACKNOWLEDGING

that the Danish Prison and Probation Service is severely

overburdened;

ACKNOWLEDGING

the positive developments in the correctional service system in the

Republic of Kosovo and that the Republic of Kosovo by such intensified cooperation will

have the opportunity to further strengthen its correctional service system;

CONVINCED

that strengthening the cooperation between the Kosovo Correctional Service

and the Danish Prison and Probation Services will be beneficial to both countries;

ACKNOWLEDGING

that through this Letter of Intent both Governments express their

intention to seek an intensified cooperation and explore further opportunities for bilateral

initiatives;

DETERMINED

to finalise an agreement regarding the Kingdom of Denmark’s use of surplus

prison capacity in the Republic of Kosovo for the purpose of the execution of Danish

sentences and to initiate the necessary measures that would allow for the Kingdom of

Denmark’s use of the prison capacity to commence in the first quarter of 2023;

REU, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 108: Orientering om politiske erklæringer om at leje 300 fængselspladser i Kosovo mv., fra justitsministeren

SEEKING

to explore opportunities for further bilateral initiatives such as training, exchange

programs and exchange of best practices for the benefit of both countries ;

HAVE REACHED THE FOLLOWING UNDERSTANDING:

The Government of Kosovo will seek to make prison capacity, i.e. the correctional facility

located in Gjilan suitable for 300 inmates, available to the Kingdom of Denmark for the

purpose of the execution of Danish sentences, and will make the necessary adjustments to

any such facility to ensure that it complies with Danish laws and standards.

The Government of Denmark intends to pay an annual fee for the use of a prison of €

15,000,000, depending on the number of inmates the facility has been made suitable for in

accordance with Danish rules and regulations, with a reduced fee for the first 12 months of

use of the prison as a transition period. The Government of Denmark furthermore intends to

pay an initial fee of € 5,000,000 to cover the transition period until the prison has been

adapted and staffed. These fees will cover all costs related to such an agreement.

The Kingdom of Denmark will be responsible for the execution of Danish sentences in the

prison and provide the necessary management to ensure that sentences are executed in

accordance with the laws and international obligations of The Kingdom of Denmark. The

Governments will take the necessary measures to ensure that the execution of sentences

will be carried out in accordance with the international obligations of the Kingdom of

Denmark.

The Kingdom of Denmark’s usage of prison capacity in the Republic of Kosovo should be

further specified in a treaty between the two Governments.

The Governments will explore the possibilities of broader cooperation between the Kosovo

Correctional Service and the Danish Prison and Probation Services.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, duly authorized thereto, have signed this Letter

of Intent.

Signed in duplicate in Pristina, on ………..……..…… 2021, in the English language.

For the Government of Kosovo,

For the Government of Denmark,

Minister of Justice,

Ms. Albulena Haxhiu

Minister of Justice,

Mr. Nick Hækkerup