Albanian political parties in North Macedonia have reacted to the statement by Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, who announced an agreement for joint patrols with Macedonian police in Ohrid. The opposition criticized the ruling parties, while the latter clarified that the joint patrol agreement was signed in 2014 when the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI) was in power.
Albanian parties in North Macedonia responded variably to Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić’s declaration of an agreement for joint patrols with Macedonian police in Ohrid during summer months.
“Unfortunately, this state’s alignment is more towards Serbia and Russia than the West, where it naturally belongs. It also reveals a complex regarding Kosovo and the Albanians there, as it’s known to be our weak point,” said Vjollca Berisha from the European Front.
From the VLEN coalition, they mentioned that the joint patrol agreement was signed in 2014, during the BDI’s tenure.
“Now they react to an agreement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Macedonia, which was implemented in 2014, involving BDI. They signed cooperation protocols with Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, and the whole region due to tourists, the tourist season, and for sports events where police from one state patrol in another,” stated Izet Mexhiti, Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia.
The joint patrol agreement aims to enhance security during the tourist season in Ohrid.
