The European Union’s Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, said today that institutions must create space for dialogue to address the popular dissatisfaction expressed through protests in Tirana.
Moreira de Sousa said that violence has no place in a democracy and that any response to acts of violence must remain proportionate and in line with the law.
“It was environmental concerns that prompted the peaceful protests of May, which later turned into a broader movement demanding transparency and accountability, the fight against corruption and good governance. Peaceful protests are part of democratic life, but in this democratic life violence has no place, and any response to acts of violence must remain proportionate and in line with the law. Violence has no place in democratic life. Dissatisfaction must be resolved through genuine dialogue, while it is the responsibility of democratic institutions to create the necessary space for this dialogue”, said the EU ambassador at the joint press conference with Prime Minister Rama.