Council of Albanian ambassadors urges protection of Albanian language status in North Macedonia

The Council of Albanian Ambassadors is closely following the debate on potential constitutional changes in North Macedonia regarding the status of the Albanian language. In the statement issued by the Council of Albanian Ambassadors on the possible constitutional changes in North Macedonia related to the status of the Albanian language, it is stated that questioning this status not only undermines the rights of Albanians but also the very foundations of North Macedonia as a multiethnic and democratic state, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

"Albanian is not merely a linguistic issue; it is a symbol of the identity, history, and dignity of Albanians in North Macedonia, who are a nation-state-building people in this country. Its recognition as an official language is the result of long struggles and significant sacrifices by Albanians for equality and justice. The decision of the Constitutional Court on this matter is an important test of the state's commitment to the principles of equality, unity, and respect for the rights of ethnic communities," states the Council of Albanian Ambassadors.

Furthermore, the statement asserts that any attempt to diminish the role of the Albanian language contradicts the spirit and principles of the Ohrid Agreement, a historic accord that ended the ethnic conflict and laid the foundation for coexistence and sustainable peace.

"We call on the institutions of North Macedonia, political and legal actors, as well as international partners, to protect the achievements made so far and ensure full respect for the rights of Albanians as an important pillar of the country's stability and Euro-Atlantic integration," the statement reads.

According to this statement, North Macedonia has the opportunity to prove itself as a model of successful multiethnic coexistence, and preserving the status of the Albanian language is a cornerstone in this regard.