63m euros Bechel Enka requires from Kosovo everything you need to know about this issue

The company's demand Bechtel Enka that Kosovo pay a debt affecting 63m euros, has brought Minister of Infrastructure Pal Lekaj before the Commission for Economic Development.

But how did it get to what Bechtel Enka asks Kosovo for this huge sum of money.

The claims of the company Bechtel Enka are that Kosovo has not met financial obligations in the pre-term, for work on the Zhaferi street.

Why weren't financial obligations performed?

According to current minister Paul Lekaj, the Kosovo government -- belonging to the former Ministry of Infrastructure -- had called for extensions of the work schedule on the highway. Since contracts had been signed for additional deadlines between the company and the Government of Kosovo, the company says there were expenses during the period totaling 63m euros.

There have been accusations and charges between former Infrastructure Minister Lutfi Zharku and current minister Paul Lekaj in the past.

During a session of the Kosovo Assembly, the former minister, now LDK deputy Lutfi Zharku, had said the company Bechtel Enka could not ask for a cent, since according to him, it has not lost a minute more on the work of the Arbe Xhafera highway.

The next few days, Minister Lekaj claims that the government will pay 60m euros in half for my mismanagement. Such statements are nonconistent and non-intelligence management. As I have clarified, the contract for the Pristina- Hani-Elez highway was signed before the government became Mustafa. With full responsibility, I say Bechetel Enka has lost a minute in the workshop, and I can't ask for a cent for this”, Zaku said.

How does the current government justify the 63m euros it requires Bechtel Enka?

Minister Pal Lekaj, says the 63m euros demanded by the company are the result of past governance.

In 2014, contracts were signed between the government and the winning company for the construction of the Zhapron Xhaferiway highway with a 40-month deadline of completion of the work - up to 20.1. 2018. After delaying the government's payment, for jobs conducted by the contractor, the Government of Kosovo has been forced to demand extending the work schedule. Former Minister Lutfi Zharku had requested approval of the contract's annex by 31.12.2018. Since the time of the signing of the work extension agreement, no action was undertaken”, Lekay explained before the Commission, writes Periscopi.

“Since the time when the deal to prolong the work was signed, no action was taken. The contract extension agreement has been signed without definition of financial cost”, Lekaj said.

He says Bechtel Enkas' claims are that the debt Kosovo owes to it amounts to 63m euros.

What is Bechtel Enkaʹs' reasoning about the 63m euros he requires from Kosovo?

The company Bechtel Enka asks this amount of money to Kosovo, with a series of reasons, but three are the main points:

-The payment project.

- Keeping the manager staff

- The equipment that should be used during this period

Pal Lekaj, says his ministry has met with contractor (Bechtel Enka, v.j) and, according to him, the ministry has sought to show the excuses for the required sum.

The contractor's “representatives have agreed to discuss in detail each claim, in order to present an exact mirror”, Lekaj said, writes Periscope.

Lekaj blames former minister Zharku

The government of the Republic of Kosovo has not made the payments necessary for contractor spending according to the payment plan. 70m euros have had to be paid in the early terms and paid just over 50m euros”, Lekaj said, writes Periscopi.

Lekaj has said his ministry is in extremely difficult situation to protect.

“in such a situation the Ministry of Infrastructure is in a difficult position to protect against contractor”, Lekaj has said.

“Often, confusion has been created that they thought that by the coming of this government, that much has been required and that much is required or the contractor's claims are for 2014-2016 rather than the period we have 100 days. But we inherited”, he said, writes Periscopi.

What is Kosovo doing if you don't perform the financial obligation to Bechtel Enkaʹs?

Since Minister Leka said his ministry is feeling vulnerable in front of the company, since according to him all the excuses of Bechtel Enkaʹ stand”, he has warned that this issue could reach other institutions.

The government risks ending this issue in arbitration, in the International Oda, which is responsible for deciding to resolve the conflicts of any nature”, Lekaj has said/Periscopi/