Albania’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ervin Demo, from San Patrignano, Italy, attending the International Summit for the Prevention of Poverty and Rehibilisation, held discussions with European counterparts, including representatives from Italy and France, on strengthening public safety and preventing violence. The focus of the talks was also the need for concrete measures to protect citizens, institutions and public and private property, based on the experiences and practices of European Union countries.

In the statement to the media after the meetings, Minister Demo stressed that guaranteeing the constitutional right to protest must be accompanied by decisive measures to prevent violence and preserve public order and security.

Full statement by Interior Minister Ervin Demo:

Today in San Patrignano, I was able to meet and discuss with counterparts from various European countries, including Italy and France. Of course, one of the topics of discussion was public security, especially in the context of violent protests and attacks on institutions and public or private property.

Recent developments in Albania have highlighted the need to take concrete steps to strengthen public security and prevent violence and protect citizens and property. Italy has taken concrete measures in this direction, as have other European Union countries. We are carefully examining these experiences to strengthen our legal instruments and institutional capacities.

I want to be very clear about one thing: The right to protest is a constitutional right and we are absolutely determined to guarantee and protect it. But the right to protest is not right to practice violence, attack police officers, or destroy public property as well as private property.

We will guarantee freedom of protest, but at the same time we will take all necessary measures, in accordance with the law, to ensure the order and security of every citizen in Albania’s entire territory, because protecting the right to protest and protecting public security are two obligations that must walk together.

So today we discussed with many of our partners what concrete steps can be taken even in the continuation of institutional co-operation to ensure stronger and more tangible public security for all citizens. BAR/Vision+