At the invitation of Albania’s Speaker of Parliament, Elisa Spiropali, the Speaker of North Macedonia’s Parliament, Afrim Gashi, is on an official visit to Tirana. During their meeting, Spiropali emphasized the importance of protecting and promoting the rights of Albanians in North Macedonia as crucial to the country’s EU integration efforts.

Why is this important: The meeting comes at a time when the rights and integration of Albanians in North Macedonia have been put into questions by the ruling majority. Speaker Spiropali highlighted that Albanians in North Macedonia play a vital role in governance and maintaining stability, stressing that respect for the Albanian language and acquired rights is key to North Macedonia’s path toward European Union membership.

Context: Spiropali underlined Albania’s commitment to supporting North Macedonia’s EU integration and expressed hope that the Second Intergovernmental Conference with the EU will take place soon. She pointed out that ensuring the protection of Albanian rights and promoting cohesion and mutual understanding would significantly benefit the integration process.

Key points discussed: Albania views North Macedonia’s stability as crucial to the stability of the region. Over the past decades it has played an important role in fostering cooperation between the Albanian and Macedonians in North Macedonia. The two countries have very close cooperation. However, recent actions and declarations by the VMRO-DPMNE led government have caused friction and could jeopardize the significant progress already achieved. This has caused concerns in Albania and constituted one of the key themes of the discussion:  

• Role of Albanians: Spiropali praised the significant contributions of Albanians in North Macedonia to governance and Euro-Atlantic processes, calling their role “decisive” in maintaining the country’s western orientation and stability.
• Language Rights: She stressed that respecting the Albanian language and other established rights is essential for social harmony and the European integration of North Macedonia.
• Regional Cooperation: Both speakers discussed the importance of regional initiatives like the Berlin Process and the strategic Corridor VIII project, viewing them as mechanisms for development, integration, and security in the region.
• Economic Collaboration: Spiropali encouraged more economic cooperation and investment from Albanian businesses in North Macedonia, highlighting the potential for mutual growth and integration.

What did she say: “Albanians in North Macedonia have given and continue to give a vital contribution to the country’s governance and stability,” Spiropali stated. “Respecting their rights and language is essential for the country’s European future and maintaining a cohesive and understanding society.”