Albania’s Minister of Defense, Ermal Nufi, has strongly condemned the recent statement made by Serbian Minister Snežana Paunović, who said that if she had been in Slobodan Milošević’s position, she would have carried out the ethnic cleansing of Kosovo.
Speaking at a press conference, Nufi described the remark as “scandalous” and “unacceptable,” stressing that there can be no justification for rhetoric that glorifies or advocates ethnic cleansing.
“I believe the statement is scandalous and unacceptable. Any further comment beyond those two words is unnecessary. Such a statement is unacceptable in this day and age,” Nufi said.
He noted that both Albania’s Prime Minister and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs had already reacted, adding that he fully supports their position.
Nufi also pointed out that voices inside Serbia had condemned the statement, saying this reflected the values of those in Serbia who believe in a European future.
“Every rhetoric of this kind is unacceptable and must be condemned. Any support for—or silence in the face of—such a statement is equally destructive,” he stated.
Paunović’s comments have drawn widespread criticism in Kosovo and Albania, with many arguing that statements advocating ethnic cleansing are incompatible with European values and regional reconciliation.
