TIRANA, Oct. 14 /ATA/ – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu on Wednesday called for calm, restraint and prudence following violent clashes and acts of vandalism during a protest in Tirana.
In a statement, Koçiu shared footage of the violence, recalling the consequences of past unrest and saying attacks on institutions and the destruction of property had cost the country years of development, stability and trust.
“Albania paid an extremely high price for chaos in the past, when institutions were attacked and property destroyed in the name of anger and revolt, plunging the country into a crisis that cost it many years of development, stability and trust. The consequences of that chaos held the country back for decades, leaving wounds we still feel today,” Koçiu wrote.
She said images of violence, fires and clashes in the capital showed how fragile the line was between peaceful protest and chaos.
“At this moment, we need calm, restraint and prudence. Institutions are public assets, businesses represent someone’s livelihood, streets belong to everyone, and security is the right of every citizen,” the deputy prime minister said.
Koçiu stressed that Albania needed development and the protection of its achievements, rather than destruction.
“Albania does not need to burn to change. It needs to build, move forward and protect what it has achieved,” she said.
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