Gjini rejects Kurti’s invitation to meet at the Prime Minister’s Office or in Gjakova: AAK leader explains why

Albin Kurti, leader of the Vetëvendosje Movement, sent a letter to Alliance leader Ardian Gjini, inviting him to a meeting on the establishment of the institutions of the 11th legislature.

Kurti congratulated the Alliance’s lawmakers after they took their oath, while stressing that coordination among political entities is needed for the election of the Speaker and Presidency of the Assembly, as well as the government and president.

The meeting was proposed for Friday at 4 p.m. at the Prime Minister’s Office. Kurti also said he was willing to travel to Gjakova in the evening to meet with Gjini.

However, the invitation was not accepted by the Alliance leader. Gjini argued that his and his party’s positions on the constitution of the Assembly and the election of the president had been clearly expressed more than once, and therefore he did not consider a meeting on these issues necessary.

In his response, he said that although democracy requires cooperation, the political course pursued by Kurti was “wrong and harmful to Kosovo.” According to Gjini, the message could be part of an effort to compile invitations to meetings and then create room for the opposition to be blamed for a lack of cooperation.

In his letter to Ardian Gjini, Kurti congratulated the Alliance’s group of lawmakers on taking their oath the previous day, wishing them to represent citizens with dignity, respect the Constitution and the law, and protect the public interest and human rights.

The leader of Vetëvendosje wished them success in their parliamentary commitments and an easier overcoming of political challenges. He assured them that they could rely on continued communication and collegial cooperation for the good of the Republic of Kosovo and its citizens.

According to Kurti, establishing the institutions of the 11th legislature requires interaction and coordination from all sides. He described political pluralism in a democracy as competition accompanied by cooperation and, on this basis, proposed a meeting at 4 p.m. at the Prime Minister’s Office, while also leaving open the possibility of traveling to Gjakova himself in the evening.

At the end of the letter, Kurti expressed hope that he would receive a positive response and extended his regards to Gjini.

For his part, Ardian Gjini responded to Kurti that the Alliance’s views and his personal positions on the constitution of the Assembly and the election of the president had been made public several times.

Gjini said he was convinced that Kurti was aware of these positions and, for that reason, saw no reason to hold a meeting on the matter.

He added that he agreed with the principle that democracy requires cooperation, but remained deeply convinced that the course chosen by Kurti was wrong and harmful to Kosovo. Gjini expressed hope that the leader of Vetëvendosje would also understand this.

Finally, the Alliance leader explained that he interpreted the message as an attempt to accumulate invitations to meetings and later use the situation to make accusations concerning a lack of cooperation.