The Minister of Culture, Hajrulla Çeku, has accused the founder of the "Sunny Hill" Festival, Dukagjin Lipa, of pressure on the issue of issuing a property permit in Bërnica i Poshtme.
It is about leasing a plot of 17 hectares for 99 years. In a Facebook post, Minister Çeku said that the MCYS has provided the necessary support to the festival. However, he said that the issue of giving the territory for use needs time not to be mistaken.
"Our motive and institutional commitment has been complete, always with the common goal that Sunny Hill to convey positive images from our country to the world this year as well. But what we have to save in Kosovo is land. Neither this government nor any other government has the right to use the territory of Kosovo without weighing well the costs, benefits, consequences, durations in which a land is given for use. "The decision-making process requires time to be complete and not to be wrong or abusive", wrote Çeku.
"It is not right to send a letter to the government asking for a quick decision on Sunny Hill, and after a short time to announce that the organization has changed location. "This kind of pressure does not leave enough time to ensure that institutional decisions will provide full protection of the public interest, and does not even leave time to look at the legal aspects," he added.
Ceku finally said that "'Sunny Hill' will always have the door open, for calm discussions and for transparent and pressure-free agreements".
"We are waiting for Dua Lipa in her Kosovo as soon as possible with great love and respect. She has contributed as an artist and as an Albanian to our international image. "We will never allow her image to be misused or tarnished by politics or business debates," the minister concluded.