Ivanov: Macedonians to be Albania’s loyal citizens, enjoy all rights

– October 10, 2013Posted in: Albania

Macedonians in Albania must stimulate any progress of the country they live in, because this is in the interest of the Euro-integration process, said President Gjorge Ivanov at Thursday’s meeting with the Macedonian community in Pogradec, Albania.

According to him, they should be loyal citizens od Albania, promoters of positive trends and processes.

“Politival organization makes them stakeholders in political life, achieving their rights and needs throught the institutions. When having minorities in neighboring countries, one should think positively, so that not only Macedonians in Macedonia seek the rights of Macedonians in Albania, but Albanians in Macedonia should fight for the rights of Macedonians in Albania, thus creating solidarity between the two communities and mutual assistance”, said President Ivanov.

He stressed there are possibilities for EU grants regarding regional project, which stimulate cross-border sooperation and benefit the entire Balkans.

“The Balkans needs to open, not only through infrastructure, but also mentally. People should start to think positively, perceiving all initiatives towards improvement of the situation of countries and minorities”, added Ivanov.

The main problem of the Macedonian community in Albania is education in the mother tongue and employment and Macedonian community support the signing of an intergovernmental agreement between the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Macedonia for the mutual protection of the Macedonian community in Albania and the Albanian community in Macedonia.
Macedonian community representatives also requested the opening of a Macedonian consulate in Korca. (Makedonium)