Former-prime minister of Kosovo in the period from 10th of march 2006 until 10th of January 2008
On 10 March 2006, Agim Çeku was elected by the Assembly of Kosova on the post of Prime Minister. Before the nomination, Mr. Çeku was Commander of the Kosova Protection Corps. After serving as Head of the Headquarters of the predecessor organization – Kosova Liberation Army (UÇK), Mr. Çeku developed a force founded on western methods and principles since the formation of the KPC in 1999.
Mr. Çeku was born on 29 October 1960 in the village of Qyshk in Peja Municipality. He graduated from the Military High School in Belgrade and from the Military Academy in Zadar. He started his military service in the Yugoslav Army as a brigade commander in 1984 and continued until 1991.
In 1991, Prime Minister Çeku joined the newly-formed Croatian Army as Captain and Artillery Commander. During the war between Croatia and Serbia, Mr. Çeku was promoted to Major in 1992 and to Colonel in 1994. He successfully participated in all the military operations in the Dalmatia region.
In 1994, he was appointed Head of the Military District HQ in Gospic, and head of the Ninth Brigade Guard Headquarters. In 1995, he was promoted to Brigade General based on merit for detailed planning and carrying out of ‘Storm’ operation to regain the province.
After being wounded several times in battles and because of serving at the highest levels of the Croatian Army, Mr. Çeku was awarded nine times, amongst others, with the “Ban Jelacic” Order for successful commanding and operation control, then with “Subic Zrinski” Order, for bravery in fighting, with Medallion for Exceptional Action, and with the Decoration Remembering Homeland Appreciation.
In February 1999, he resigned from the post as Head of Fifth Corpus Headquarters of the Croatian Army. In March 1999, Mr. Çeku left the Croatian Armed Force and joined the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) as head of the KLA Headquarters. During the peak of KLA’s activities, from March to June 1999, General Çeku unified the KLA command with its 20,000 fighters, while the NATO bombing was ongoing. After the end of the war, he received the grade of Lieutenant General for his successful contribution in protecting his homeland. His leadership and contribution brought him the decoration of “Adem Jashari” Order.
Mr. Çeku facilitated the negotiations on demobilization and transformation of the KLA into Kosova Protection Corps. He was commended and awarded many medals of excellency by the international community, including by Mr. Wesley Clark, NATO Supreme Commander for Europe. In March 2006, Kosova President Fatmir Sejdiu awarded Çeku the Medal of Freedom for Military Merit.
Prime Minister Çeku speaks fluent English and superb Croatian and is still working on his professional career development attending an Executive Course in the “Marshal” Center in Gurmisch, Germany and writes on periodical basis publications on local and international issues, like: Kosova history & Politics and Royal United Services Institute.
Mr. Çeku is married and father of two sons and a daughter.