The message was sent during a meeting of the Albanian diaspora in Tirana.
Ali Ahmeti, leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) in North Macedonia, called on the authorities in Skopje to respect the agreements reached, which guarantee the rights of Albanians in the country. The DUI is the largest Albanian party in our western neighbor. This party has been part of the government for nearly two decades without interruption until the formation of the current government in Skopje on June 23, 2024, BGNES reported.
Ahmeti participated in the opening of the fourth Summit of the Albanian Diaspora in the Albanian capital, Tirana. The event was also attended by Fatmir Limani, Minister of Labor and Social Policy, as well as the Speaker of the Parliament of North Macedonia, Afrim Gashi. Diplomats from Kosovo and Albania were also present at the forum.
“As for the Albanian language in Macedonia, there is a real danger, and I think we need to improve the status of the language we all speak,” Ahmeti said, adding: “The Albanian language is guaranteed by the Ohrid Agreement, which was also signed and guaranteed by the United States and NATO. It is our shared responsibility to protect it.
The DSI leader also spoke of “the shared responsibility of Washington, Brussels, NATO, Albanian political forces, and Macedonian political forces.” “Macedonia has a future only in coexistence and understanding with the Albanians. Without the Albanians, Macedonia cannot survive, and its days are numbered,” Ali Ahmeti emphasized.
The meeting in Tirana brought together representatives of the diaspora, political leaders, and institutional representatives, with a focus on fostering and strengthening national and economic cooperation.
BGNES recalls that the Ohrid Agreement was signed in the summer of 2001 and put an end to the armed conflict in North Macedonia. This agreement regulates the rights of the Albanian minority in the country. The agreement, which was signed in Ohrid, was reached through the mediation of NATO and the European Union.
The Albanian language was granted official status in municipalities where Albanians constitute a significant portion of the population. Albanians also gained greater representation in the state administration, the police, and the army. The agreement granted more powers to local authorities and initiated the disarmament of Albanian armed groups linked to the National Liberation Army under NATO supervision. These armed groups were personally led by Ali Ahmeti. I BGNES