Atifete Jahjaga Cabinet

Office of the President of Kosovo

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.

Garentina Kraja

Senior Political Adviser | Main Article: Garentina KrajaGarentina Kraja served as Senior Political Adviser 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, such as during the political impasse following 2014 general elections and in addressing the plight of survivors of wartime rape. As the President's representative, Kraja took part in the Strategic Security Sector Review that includes the creation of Kosovo's Armed Forces. Kraja is also a speechwriter for the President.

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.

Adrian Prenkaj

Adviser on European Integration | Main Article: Adrian Prenkaj

Adrian Prenkaj worked as Adviser on 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 has continuously advised on a range of domestic and foreign policy issues, with legislation and policy processes in line with EU accession process. 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 (MCC) 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.

Prenkaj also developed President's strategy incorporating digital platforms and social media to engage directly with citizens.

Prior to joining President Jahjaga's team, from 2009 to 2012 he served as a First Secretary for Political Affairs at the Embassy of Kosovo in Washington, DC. Prior to that, he worked as a Senior European Affairs Officer in the Agency for European Integration. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Prishtina. In 2008, he completed a master's degree in International Relations at the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University in the United Kingdom, with focus on EU Policy Process, Transatlantic Relations and German Foreign Policy.

Selim Selimi

Legal Adviser

Selim Selimi was appointed Legal Adviser to President Jahjaga in 2012. He advises the President on a range of legal, constitutional and rule of law matters. Selimi also coordinates 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.

Kujtim Dobruna

Economic Adviser

Kujtim Dobruna serves as Economic Adviser to President Jahjaga since 2014. His duties include advising the President on economic policiess and foreign investment.

Dobruna is founder and head of ECIKS, an organization helping international companies interested in doing business in Kosovo. From 2006-2012 he worked as head of IPAK in Vienna (investment promotion arm of Kosovo's Investment Promotion Agency for the German speaking countries) – responsible for investment promotion and investor servicing in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. He graduated with a BA in Business Administration from Karl-Franzens University Graz in Austria and holds a MBA degree from Open University Business School in Vienna. He is currently a PHD candidate at Vienna University.

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.

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 works as Associate Professor at the University of Prishtina and as a consultant for international organizations in Kosovo.

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.

Ilir Salihu

Ilir Salihu worked as Economic Adviser and briefly as Chief of Staff to the President of Kosovo, from 2011 to 2013. He currently serves as Senior Political Adviser at the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Kosovo.