Kosovo Albanians to honor Blair

Former British PM Tony Blair is to be honored by the University of Pristina, BIRN reported today. The online publication was quoting university officials, who said that Blair will be named Doctor Honoris Causa, "in recognition of his role during the 1998-99 Kosovo war," in a ceremony this spring. Kosovo Albanians to honor Blair “This award is given to those who display distinctive merit in the promotion of knowledge, peace, security and human prosperity,” Pristina University Rector Enver Hasani told a meeting of the University Senate. "Mr. Blair is one of those personalities who meet the criteria for the award,” Hasani was quoted. Enis Halimi of the university's Public Affairs department told Balkan Insight that the date of the award ceremony has not been fixed yet since "the place and time will depend on Mr. Blair’s engagements.” This Friday Albanian President Bamir Topi will receive the same honor from the university when he visits Kosovo. Other well known figures who have been honored by Pristina University include former U.S. president Bill Clinton, Albanian writer Ismail Kadare, and former UN administrator in Kosovo and current French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. Tony Blair is popular among Kosovo Albanians for his contribution during and after the conflict with the Serbian authorities, BIRN concluded in its report.

Kosovo Albanians to honor Blair

“This award is given to those who display distinctive merit in the promotion of knowledge, peace, security and human prosperity,” Priština University Rector Enver Hasani told a meeting of the University Senate.

"Mr. Blair is one of those personalities who meet the criteria for the award,” Hasani was quoted.

Enis Halimi of the university's Public Affairs department told Balkan Insight that the date of the award ceremony has not been fixed yet since "the place and time will depend on Mr. Blair’s engagements.”

This Friday Albanian President Bamir Topi will receive the same honor from the university when he visits Kosovo.

Other well known figures who have been honored by Priština University include former U.S. president Bill Clinton, Albanian writer Ismail Kadare, and former UN administrator in Kosovo and current French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.

Tony Blair is popular among Kosovo Albanians for his contribution during and after the conflict with the Serbian authorities, BIRN concluded in its report.