During a three-day visit to Montenegro, a team from the Kosovo Institute for War Crimes (IKKL), led by Atdhe Hetemi, held a series of meetings in Podgorica and Ulcinj. These engagements resulted in the signing of cooperation agreements and the handover of significant archival materials crucial to IKKL’s mission.
Strengthening Institutional Cooperation and Documentation
Hetemi signed a cooperation agreement with Fatmir Gjeka, Montenegro’s Minister for Human and Minority Rights, for the exchange of experiences and documentation. Full support for IKKL’s mission was also pledged by Marash Dukaj, Minister of Public Administration, and Astrit Hoxha, State Secretary.
In a meeting with the Mayor of Ulcinj, Genc Nimanbegu, a protocol for the handover of archival materials was signed, and both parties agreed to continue institutional cooperation.
Significant materials were also exchanged with Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG). During a meeting with Mr. Senad Gilaj, editor of the Minority Program, and Mr. Predrag Vukçeviq, chief of cabinet, RTCG handed over archival materials for the IKKL fund. Furthermore, cooperation was formalized with Televizioni Teuta, a local media outlet important to the Albanian community in Ulcinj.
Community Engagement and Historical Preservation
At the Albanian Cultural Center, the IKKL team met with Ms. Adriana Hoxha and Ms. Ardita Rama, with whom they discussed joint cultural projects and enriching the Ulcinj library with IKKL publications.
The Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Podgorica, in cooperation with the Albanian National Council and under the patronage of Ambassador Ariana Zherka and Chairman Faik Nika, organized a broad meeting with representatives of institutions, media, organizations, and activists from Podgorica, Ulcinj, Tuzi, Rozhaja, and Hoti. During this event, IKKL’s mission and objectives were presented.
“Following the presentation, protocols for the handover of archival materials were signed with: Ali Bardhi, representative of the Islamic Community in Ulcinj; Ismet Kallaba, editor of the weekly ‘Koha Javore’; Mr. Gazmend Çitaku, former head of Mercy Corps International’s Ulcinj Office; Ali Daci, activist, researcher, and collector of historical evidence; Albert Bikaj, political scientist, researcher, and translator, among others. This visit marks another important step in strengthening inter-institutional and regional cooperation for preserving historical memory and documenting crimes committed during the war in Kosovo,” IKKL announced.
