The leader of the Democratic Union for Integration, Ali Ahmeti, in his speech at the Diaspora Summit, emphasized the importance of the Albanian language in North Macedonia, describing it as a “real danger” if it is not defended resolutely.
Ahmetiti’s statement comes after recent student protests in North Macedonia over taking the bar exam in Albanian.
He recalled the Ohrid Agreement, signed with the support of the US, EU and NATO, while emphasizing that any other comment is made with the intention of eroding it.
“As for the Albanian language in Macedonia, it is a real danger that all the languages ??spoken by everyone must master. The Albanian language in Macedonia, with an agreement signed and guaranteed by the USA and we have believed in the authority of the USA, the EU and NATO, we have signed, we have accepted the agreement signed in Ohrid and we have been safe and we have worked together.
The success of the Ohrid Agreement and its achievements, from national symbols, education in the Albanian language, the use of Albanian in the administration, and the conclusion of the law on the Albanian language, spoken by over 20% of citizens, is an official language with its own alphabet.
“Any other comment is only to finally erode the Ohrid Agreement and change its character. We have a shared responsibility. Macedonia has a future in coexistence, co-government only with Albanians. Without Albanians, it cannot survive and its days are numbered,” said Ahmeti.
Albanian students in North Macedonia protested in Skopje demanding the right to conduct the bar exam in Albanian, as guaranteed by the constitution, but which, according to them, is not implemented in practice.