Protest in Shkodër Against Serbian Consulate: Citizens Oppose Agreement and Comparison with Albanians in the Preševo Valley

The plan to open a Serbian consulate in Shkodër has sparked strong reactions in the northern city, where numerous citizens took to the streets to protest the agreement reached in principle between the governments of Albania and Serbia.

The march began near the statue of national hero Isa Boletini and ended in front of Shkodër City Hall. Protesters described the opening of a Serbian consulate in the city as an inappropriate and provocative decision.

During the rally, they pointed out that Serbia has yet to officially apologize for the war crimes and genocide committed against Kosovo Albanians. For this reason, they said, such a diplomatic initiative is unacceptable.

Citizens also opposed the agreement in principle to open an Albanian consulate in Bujanoc and a Serbian consulate in Shkodër.

They called the comparison absurd, arguing that the 54 Serbs living in Shkodër, according to the latest census, cannot be equated with the 61,000 Albanians in the Preševo Valley.

Protesters described the Serbian consulate in Shkodër as a serious blow and a desecration of the blood shed by thousands of Albanians for Kosovo’s freedom. In closing, they warned that opposition to the initiative would continue.