Kosovo Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu said her remarks about the protests in Albania, made earlier today after a meeting of the Assembly Presidency, had been misrepresented.
She published her full statement from the press conference, reiterating that “developments there are concerning for all of us” and that the situation “requires serious attention.”
“I see that some media outlets have distorted my response regarding the protests in Albania. Below is the video of my full response. As I have said, developments there are concerning for all of us. What we are witnessing requires serious attention. The demands of students and protesters must be heard by the institutions, while violence must be stopped by both sides,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
Addressing her remark that arrogance fuels protests, Haxhiu said she had been speaking about the general approach authorities should take towards protests.
“When I said that arrogance only fuels protests, I was referring to how protests should generally be approached with seriousness and a willingness to listen. This was a matter of principle, not a judgment on the causes of the protests or an accusation against any institution in Albania,” she wrote.
Haxhiu added that Albania was a home to her, just as it is to every Albanian from Kosovo.
“As an Albanian from Kosovo, for whom Albania is home, I urge all sides to act with restraint and find a way forward. I believe that dialogue can overcome divisions and restore calm as soon as possible,” she added.
