A citizen staged a protest outside the Kosovo Assembly on Thursday, calling on lawmakers to take what he described as decisive steps to protect Kosovo’s national interests and energy security.
Shpend Gjocaj, who was protesting ahead of the expected constitution of the new Assembly, said he hoped MPs would consider what he described as the risks posed to Kosovo by what he called irresponsible political decisions.
Gjocaj criticized MPs who, in his view, simply follow instructions from political leaders without considering the potential consequences of their votes.
“I hope that today the MPs of the Kosovo Assembly will take into account the danger facing Kosovo because of their reckless actions,” Gjocaj said, arguing that consistently rejecting US-backed initiatives could pose a risk to Kosovo.
He also linked Kosovo’s energy security to national security, arguing that the country should pursue closer energy cooperation with the United States.
“Energy security is national security. We do not have energy security. I consider Kosovo’s connection to American gas to be vital,” he said.
Gjocaj said lawmakers should focus on two priorities: securing Kosovo’s connection to what he called “American gas” and reversing a decision that he described as contributing to the “Serbization of Kosovo.”
“Two important things that I believe MPs should bear in mind are that Kosovo must establish a connection to American gas, and the decision on the Serbization of Kosovo must be repealed,” he said.
The protest took place as Kosovo’s new legislature was beginning the process of constitution, following the June 7 early parliamentary elections.
