The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, has congratulated the Albanian students of North Macedonia for their commitment to using the Albanian language, in accordance with the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the legislation in force.
“We congratulate the Albanian students of North Macedonia for their civic engagement and the democratic manner in which they have articulated their demand for the use of the Albanian language in accordance with the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and applicable legislation,” writes Spiropali.
According to her, constructive dialogue, institutional solutions and respect for human rights remain the surest path to strengthening trust between communities and improving democratic standards in the country.
Spiropali also appreciated the willingness of North Macedonian institutions to address this issue seriously and in accordance with the country’s constitutional and legal framework.
“We also appreciate the willingness of the institutions of North Macedonia, especially Prime Minister Mickoski and Deputy Prime Minister Sali, to address this issue seriously and in accordance with the Constitution and the legal framework of the country.”
“Dialogue, institutional solutions and respect for rights remain the safest path to strengthening trust and democratic standards,” the minister writes.
A few days ago, 385 Albanian students in North Macedonia submitted a petition to hold the bar exam in Albanian, in addition to Macedonian, emphasizing that this right is guaranteed to them by law, as they study in Albanian and Albanian is the official language in the country.
The Ministry of Justice has rejected the request, arguing that the exam also serves as a test for knowledge of the Macedonian language, which is a legal requirement for practicing legal professions.
Students oppose this stance, emphasizing that the Law on the Bar Examination does not prohibit taking the exam in Albanian and that the Law on the Use of Languages obliges institutions to allow the use of Albanian in official procedures.