Memli Krasniqi
| Memli Krasniqi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development | |
|
Assumed office December 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Blerand Stavileci |
| Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports | |
|
In office 2011-2014 | |
| Preceded by | Lutfi Haziri |
| Succeeded by | Kujtim Shala |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
25 January 1980 (age 35) Prishtina, former Yugoslavia (now Kosovo) |
| Political party | Democratic Party of Kosovo |
| Alma mater | London School of Economics, University of Prishtina |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Website | http://www.mbpzhr-ks.net/ |
Memli Krasniqi (born 25 January 1980) is a Kosovar politician who has been Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development since December 2014 and Vice-President of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) since February 2013.
Krasniqi previously served as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports from 2011 to 2014.
Early life and education
Memli Krasniqi was born in Prishtina, where he finished the "Hasan Prishtina" primary school and the "Xhevdet Doda" gymnasium. He graduated with a BA in Political Science and Public Administration in the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Prishtina and obtained an MSc degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
In 1999 - 2000, he worked as a journalist for the American news agency Associated Press and in 2002 he served as a Director for Public Relations at the Telemedicine Centre of Kosovo.
For many years he was active in the music industry and worked in different musical projects, mostly as a songwriter and as a member of the hip-hop group "Ritmi i Rrugës".
Political career
Krasniqi was actively engaged in politics with the PDK since 2004, initially leading the Centre for Political Studies within the cabinet of the Chairman of the party, Hashim Thaçi.
Upon the establishment of PDK's Cabinet for Good Governance, Krasniqi was appointed to lead the Department of Youth and in October 2006 he was elected the Chairman of the Democratic Youth of Kosovo - the youth organization of PDK that represents its members aged 16-30. From this position, he was also a member of the Presidency of PDK. In February 2013, Krasniqi was elected Vice-President of PDK for Organizational and Youth Issues.
In the 2007 parliamentary elections, Krasniqi was elected a Member of the Assembly of Kosovo and served as a member in the Committee for Education, Science, Culture, Youth and Sports. In October 2008 he was appointed a Political Adviser to the Prime Minister and Spokesperson of the Government.
Krasniqi was re-elected to the Assembly of Kosovo in the 2010 parliamentary elections and was appointed Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in February 2011. He was re-elected again in the 2014 parliamentary elections and was appointed Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development in December 2014.
Personal life
Memli Krasniqi lives in Prishtina with his wife Meliza and children Bora, Mal and Vera.
References
http://www.mbpzhr-ks.net/en/minister