FUEN unanimously adopts resolution on rights of Macedonians in Albania
At its Helsinki congress FUEN approved four demands from Ilinden‑Tirana calling for the charter’s ratification, protection of identity and keeping Pustec as a separate municipality.
The Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) unanimously adopted a resolution submitted by the Macedonian Society "Ilinden"‑Tirana during the organisation's congress convened in Helsinki, Finland. Delegates approved the text without opposition, a development hailed by representatives of the Macedonian minority in Albania as an institutional and diplomatic success.
Four key demands
The resolution urges Albanian and international authorities to act on four concrete requests:
- Ratification of the European Charter: that the Republic of Albania urgently sign and ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
- Protection of identity: adoption of effective and tangible measures to safeguard the Macedonian identity against increasing pressures, denials and assimilation.
- Preservation of Pustec Municipality: that Pustec remain a distinct local self‑government unit within the forthcoming administrative‑territorial reform in Albania.
- Renaming: that Pustec Municipality be officially renamed Prespa Municipality.
After the vote, the president of the Macedonian Society "Ilinden"‑Tirana, Nikola Gjurgjaj, underlined the importance of the moment and framed the decision as a step toward stronger protection of the community's rights.
"This is a significant step for preserving the Macedonian language, identity, culture and all the rights of Macedonians in the Republic of Albania. For 11 years now, as an equal member of FUEN, we have actively participated in the work of this renowned European organisation and have represented the interests of our people. This is an opportunity for new experiences, to strengthen cooperation with other national minorities in Europe and for further affirmation of the Macedonian identity, language, culture and tradition. With great pride we represent the Macedonian national minority at the European level," Gjurgjaj said.
Organisers said the adopted resolution will be promptly transmitted to all relevant Albanian state bodies and to key international and European institutions tasked with protecting human and minority rights.
Supporters of the motion hope the FUEN decision will increase pressure on Tirana to implement concrete legal and administrative guarantees for the Macedonian minority, and help coordinate wider European-level advocacy among minority organisations.
Photo: press material from the event
