Albanian President Bajram Begaj paid an official visit today to the Preševo Valley. In both Preševo and Bujanovac, he received a warm welcome from local residents and municipal leaders.
During his visit, President Begaj held separate meetings with the Mayor of Preševo, Ardita Sinani, the Mayor of Bujanovac, Arbër Pajaziti, the President of the Albanian National Council, Enkel Rexhepi, and Shaip Kamberi, the only Albanian member of the Serbian Parliament. Their discussions focused on addressing the concerns of Albanians in the Preševo Valley, strengthening political unity among Albanian representatives, and advancing projects aimed at supporting young people.
Begaj delivered messages emphasizing cooperation, political unity, and continued efforts to ensure the protection of the rights of Albanians living in the region.
The Albanian president encouraged local political leaders to unite whenever national interests and the protection of the rights of Albanians in the Preševo Valley are at stake.
He reinforced these messages during a speech delivered to citizens in Preševo at the opening of the Albanian Book Fair 2026.
In his address, Begaj reaffirmed Albania’s support for raising the issues facing the Preševo Valley, including fair representation in public institutions, concerns over the deactivation of residential addresses, and the protection of the right to use the Albanian language and national symbols.
“The rights and freedoms of Albanians in the Preševo Valley, and wherever they live, must be respected. Albanians should be able to live here without discrimination, use the Albanian language freely and without fear, and preserve and promote their culture, values, identity, and traditions,” Begaj said.
The Albanian president also reiterated that Albanians are a factor for peace and cooperation in the Western Balkans, stressing that protecting the Albanian language and culture in the Preševo Valley is fully in line with European standards on human rights and cultural diversity.
“Albanian identity has been built upon European values—respect for freedom, human dignity, coexistence, the rule of law, and a culture of dialogue. Therefore, protecting the Albanian language and culture in the Preševo Valley is not a matter of nostalgia, nor merely a national issue; it is part of the European system of protecting rights and an essential part of our nation’s vision for the future,” he stated.
Addressing the young people of Preševo in particular, Begaj encouraged them to make Albanian not only the language of their families and traditions but also the language of knowledge, professional achievement, creativity, and success.
“You live in a time when knowledge is more accessible than ever before, but also when preserving identity has become more challenging. The Albanian language in these lands is a living and irreplaceable treasure, as well as a strategic investment in the future of our nation. Use Albanian not only as the language of your home but also as the language of education, your profession, creativity, and your success here in the Valley, because a language truly lives when it is written, read, creates knowledge, and inspires generations,” he said.
President Begaj pledged to continue advocating for the rights of Albanians in the Preševo Valley in international institutions and diplomatic forums.
“I want to assure you that the institution I represent will always support initiatives that strengthen cultural cooperation, promote books in the Albanian language, and build bridges of communication among Albanians wherever they live,” Begaj concluded.
