The works that began on Monday at “George Bush” Square in Pristina has been halted by the Inspectorate for Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, reports KosovaPress.
“Work is prohibited,” reads the notice posted on the project banner.
Some citizens consider this decision political, while others view the halt as necessary.
Rrahim Krasniqi says that this is not the first time the Ministry of Culture has halted such projects.
On the other hand, Jashar Ismaili believes that the Inspectorate for Cultural Heritage acted correctly in halting the work because, according to him, the municipality of Pristina invested in the project without a plan.
Omer Halimi hopes that a common ground will be found between the municipality and the Cultural Heritage Inspectorate.
KosovaPress tried to get a response from the Municipality of Pristina regarding this, but they didn’t provide any information, saying they would release a media statement.
However, the Deputy Mayor of Pristina, Jehona Lushaku, wrote on Facebook that “Minister Hajrullah Çeku ordered the work on the ‘George Bush Square’ project to be halted.”
She stated that “this action by Minister Çeku shows how power is understood in VV: as an opportunity to block any initiative and project from other parties, even if it harms the citizens of this country, in this case, the capital of Kosovo.”
Questions were also sent to the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, but no response has been received by the time of publication.
The work on this square takes place between the Grand Hotel, the University of Pristina Rectorate, Radio Kosovo, and the National Library.
According to the Cultural Heritage Law, any intervention in cultural heritage properties or those nearby requires permission or approval from the competent institution.
