Albania reaffirms support for Albanians in the Presheva Valley
Photo: Ardita Sinani and Igli Hasani
Albania’s Foreign Minister, Igli Hasani, met with Ardita Sinani, mayor of the Presheva Valley, Serbia, to discuss support for Albanians living in the region. Hasani emphasized Albania’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the local population through political backing and concrete development projects.
Why is this important: Albanians in the Presheva Valley have recently protested against the Serbian government, demanding an end to the passive removal of their addresses, the return of the court to Presheva, recognition of Kosovo diplomas, and better institutional integration. Their demands reflect long-standing grievances that have largely gone unanswered by Serbia.
Context: During the meeting, Hasani assured Sinani that Albania’s support will go beyond politics, promising economic, educational, and cultural initiatives to improve conditions. They also discussed strengthening cooperation with newly elected local institutions and political and social actors in the region.
The Albanian government pledged to protect the rights of Albanians in the Presheva Valley and work toward their integration within Serbian institutions. Local representatives emphasized that despite ongoing demands, no meaningful progress has been made since the conflict in 2001 between Serbian forces and Albanian insurgents.
Broader challenges: Presheva Valley’s political representatives expressed frustration with the lack of international involvement. They called for more effective engagement from the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE to monitor the region’s situation.
According to Serbia’s latest census, around 60,000 Albanians live in the Presheva Valley. Despite efforts, they continue to struggle with economic marginalization and limited access to basic services.
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