The news of the opening of the Serbian consulate in Shkodra has sparked strong reactions and protests in the northern city, where citizens have taken to the streets in a march against this agreement reached in principle between the Albanian and Serbian governments.
The protesters started the march from the square near the statue of the hero Isa Boletini and marched to the Shkodra Municipality building, describing the opening of a Serbian consulate in this city as a completely inappropriate and provocative act. During the rally, they emphasized that Serbia has not yet officially apologized for the war crimes and genocide committed against Kosovo Albanians, which makes any official diplomatic opening of this nature unacceptable.
Citizens also strongly opposed the agreement in principle that foresees the opening of a consulate of Albania in Bujanovac and of Serbia in Shkodra, calling it absurd. According to the protesters, an unfair parallel can never be made between only 54 Serbs living in Shkodra – according to the latest census data – and 61 thousand Albanians living in the Presevo Valley.
Outraged, they described the Serbian consulate in Shkodra as a severe blow and a kick over the blood of thousands of Albanians shed for the freedom of Kosovo, warning that opposition to this initiative will continue.
