Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, has called for the full respect, protection, and implementation of the Albanian language in North Macedonia, emphasizing that its status must be upheld both legally and in everyday practice.
During an official visit to the Institute of Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of Albanians in Skopje, Spiropali described the visit as a moment of special national importance, underlining the role of cultural institutions in preserving collective memory and national identity.
Speaking from the capital of North Macedonia, Spiropali stressed that Albanian is an official language in the country and must be protected, cultivated, and respected without compromise.
“In this city where Albanian history has left deep traces—from Mother Teresa to Pjetër Bogdani, from Hasan Prishtina to many other prominent figures—we find the foundations upon which our identity, dignity, and national vision have been built,” Spiropali stated.
She highlighted the Institute’s work as a key reference point not only for Albanians in North Macedonia but for the entire Albanian-speaking space, noting that its research on the Albanian language, cultural heritage, and historical memory plays a crucial role in strengthening collective awareness.
“The Albanian language must be respected in law and in practice, taught with love from generation to generation, and preserved as a shared value within the country’s multiethnic mosaic,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
Spiropali further emphasized that the Albanian language unites Albanians as a voice of history and a root of identity, reaffirming Albania’s commitment to supporting linguistic and cultural rights beyond its borders.
