Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has reacted to the student protests in Albania, emphasizing the dissatisfaction of young people and the need for them to have confidence in their future in the country.
Speaking at the meeting of the Vetëvendosje Movement General Council, Kurti said that students should have the opportunity to live with dignity, be involved in decision-making, and see the state as support.
"A democracy that loses the trust of young people stifles renewal and social change," he declared.
Kurti also touched on the clashes that have accompanied the protests in Tirana. According to him, the violence and injuries to citizens are worrying, but in addition to determining criminal responsibilities, the causes that lead to escalation must also be analyzed.
"It is not enough to determine only those criminally responsible for the violence. Its roots must also be understood, the conditions that feed it and the reasons that transform contradictions into clashes. Public order and freedom of protest must be protected at the same time," Kurti said.
The Prime Minister of Kosovo emphasized that developments in Albania are being followed closely in Pristina, but rejected any idea of rivalry between the two countries.
"Kosovo is not and will never be a rival of its sister," he said, citing support for Albania's European integration process and the desire for more joint projects in the economy, education, infrastructure and defense.
Kurti also responded to rumors linking the Vetëvendosje Movement to the protests in Albania. He stated that the party he leads has no role in organizing them and that it is now a governing force, not a protest force.
"Even when we were a protest force, we have led the protests ourselves and have never remained anonymous," Kurti said.
He added that Vetëvendosje has not used and does not support underhanded political tactics or the instrumentalization of protests, using the expression that they have never considered "throwing stones and hiding their hands" worthy.
