For 7 days now, citizens have been filling the "Martyrs of the Nation" boulevard, demanding the removal of the government and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

In a statement to the media from Pogradec, Blendi Gonxhja, speaking about the protests, said that deep reflection is needed.

"Therefore, there is no discussion, we live in Tirana and we are very clear that it is a situation that requires attention and requires analysis, requires very deep reflection from everyone.
"I am not in a hurry and I believe none of us were in a hurry, because we want to have an approach that is as balanced, as well-thought-out and as balanced as possible in relation to their demands," he said.

Excerpt from Gonxha's statement:
Listen, it's not that I don't have a reaction, it's not that I don't follow it, it's not that I'm not sensitive, of course I'm extremely concerned about the situation. Also because as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports I am very connected to that age group, I am very connected, of course that includes Youth in the ministry I lead, I am very connected to a large part of those, let's say, often artists, innovators, creators, people that I see and know, I know almost a large part of them from the cooperation they have with the state, with the central level of government, the independent scene, a good part of them may also be artists who are connected to some of the artistic institutions. Therefore, there is no discussion, we live in Tirana and we are very clear that it is a situation that requires attention and requires analysis, requires very deep reflection from everyone.

I have not been in a hurry and I believe none of us have been in a hurry, because we want to have an approach that is as balanced, as well-thought-out and as balanced as possible in relation to what their demands are. Directly, the main issue of their cause is environmental, I do not have it directly in my area of ​​responsibility. But from the point of view of the issues related to tourism projects, of course it is in the area of ​​responsibility that I cover and of course we are working so that all the information, we are all saying verification from the point of view of the importance and value of tourism development, whether for the Zvërnec area or for similar examples whether in the region or in Albania, we are prepared to be in a dialogue, at a moment when we will naturally need to communicate and exchange information with each other, of course when this is also in a more organized and structured form, which has not happened so far because apparently the protest itself has had its own need to vent.

And we respect the protest. That protest also comes because freedom in the country is, I believe today, at its highest level. I myself am a revolutionary even with banners, but not as revolutionary as I would say, of such a gentle nature as this movement is today. So, I have also tried other things on my back and we have even risked our lives. But, and I know very well that we cannot say today that we waited 36 years for this day to come to us. No, because we have fought until recently, until 2013 at least, in many, many of our battles to have the freedom that we have in mind today and that we have as, we are saying, as a reality in our country. With this freedom, of course the expectations are very high.

So, the good work and the great work that has been done to raise expectations here to where they are, that today we are discussing flamingos and species-related sensitivity, environmental sensitivity, is a sign that we have made extraordinary progress. We must preserve this strength of democracy, we must preserve this right, we are saying this free speech of the groups of this protest, but it must be as much as possible and, how should I say, understood, heard in terms of what is the serious part, which is the essential part, which is the main part of that protest. And for those issues that are essential, important and where there is of course interest for the country and for the work that we do, we are taking all measures so that we are prepared to address each of the issues of the protest.

No, this part is not for me to comment on, nor is it for me to address it directly as a minister. You asked me as a minister. If you then ask me simply as a former student of the December Movement and others, I have a complete answer. But I believe that we will not dedicate the opening day of the Pogradec season only to this protest.