During President Jahjaga's mandate, the Office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo has always ranked as the most trusted institution by the citizens of Kosovo. As the first consensual and non-partisan President in history of independent Kosovo, Jahjaga was focused on de-politicization of the Office of the President which is open to all citizens and political parties. She has redefined the role of the President in building pluralistic and democratic life of Kosovo, and continuously implemented the constitutional principles that form the basis of democracy. President Jahjaga and her Cabinet have been singled out by Kosovo's Anti-Corruption Agency as the best example of transparency and accountability that public officials should demonstrate. Jahjaga's Cabinet consists of non-partisan and experienced professionals, many of them educated at prestigious U.S. and European universities.
Adviser on European Integration | Main Article: Adrian Prenkaj Adrian Prenkaj served as Adviser for European Integration to President Jahjaga, a position he assumed in 2012. He served as President's representative in the Kosovo's Negotiating Team for the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union, and was involved in implementation of the EU Visa Liberalization Roadmap for Kosovo. He also coordinated the work of the National Council for European Integration, established and led by President Jahjaga. In February 2015, he was appointed by the President to coordinate the efforts of national institutions to improve policy performance on indicators to make Kosovo eligible for the US Government's Millennium Challenge Corporation development funds. On 6 November 2015, MCC announced that Kosovo has passed the scorecard with 13 out of 20 indicators. At its quarterly meeting on 16 December 2015, the Millennium Challenge Corporation Board of Directors voted to make Kosovo eligible for a compact program, MCC's large-scale investment program. He currently works as public policy consultant for international projects in Kosovo.
Political Adviser | Main Article: Garentina Kraja Garentina Kraja served as Speechwriter to President Atifete Jahjaga. Kraja advised the President on a large portfolio of foreign policy and national security issues, including countering violent extremism, as well as domestic politics. As the President's representative, Kraja took part in the Strategic Security Sector Review that includes the creation of Kosovo's Armed Forces. Garentina holds a BA and MA degree in Political Science from Yale University. Her thesis on the recruitment practices of guerrilla movements won her Yale University's prize for best comparative essay in 2011. Prior to her enrollment in university, Kraja attended the prestigious four-month leadership Yale World Fellows program, selected from over 600 candidates worldwide in 2006. She was part of the first generation of independent journalists at Kosovar daily Koha Ditore. During 1997 and 1999 she covered and reported widely on the Kosovo war. From 2001-2007 Kraja was The Associated Press correspondent in Kosovo. She currently teaches at American University in Kosovo.
Legal Adviser Selim Selimi was appointed Legal Adviser to President Jahjaga in 2012. He advised the President on a range of legal, constitutional and rule of law matters. Selimi also coordinated the work of the National Anti-Corruption Council, established and led by President Jahjaga. Before joining President Jahjaga's team, Selimi has worked for OSCE, UNDP and U.S. Department of Justice - ICITAP covering mainly rule of law and parliamentary affairs. Selim Selimi holds a Law degree from the University of Prishtina. He has a master's degree in Management of Development from ICT-ILO and University of Turin in Italy and a master's degree in International Development Policy from Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University in the United States. He currently serves as Advisor to the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj.
Jeta Krasniqi
Adviser on Gender Equality Jeta Krasniqi serves as Adviser on Gender Equality. She coordinates the work of the National Council for Survivors of Sexual Violence During the War, established and led by President Jahjaga. Jeta Krasniqi graduated with a BA from Eastern Mediterranean University in Cyprus, and has a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University SAIS at the Bologna Center. She is currently involved in non-profit sector.
Previous Appointments
Ilir Deda
Ilir Deda served as Chief of Staff to President Jahjaga in the period from April 2011 to January 2012. He is currently member of the Kosovo Parliament.
Qendrim Gashi
Qendrim Gashi served as Foreign Policy Adviser to President Jahjaga from April to October 2011. He currently serves as Ambassador of Kosovo to France.
Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa
Ariana served as President's Legal Adviser from 2011 to 2013. She is currently a Senior researcher at Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development – KIPRED.
