President Begaj Brings Together Political Actors in the Presevo Valley: The Rights of Albanians Must Be Respected

Yesterday, the President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, paid a visit during which he was welcomed in Presevo and Bujanovac by residents and the political leaders of the municipalities.

During the visit, the Head of State held separate meetings with the Mayor of the Municipality of Presevo, Ardita Sinani, the Mayor of the Municipality of Bujanovac, Arbër Pajaziti, the chairman of the Albanian National Council, Enkel Rexhepi, as well as the only Albanian MP in the Serbian Parliament, Shaip Kamberi.

During these meetings, they discussed addressing the concerns of Albanians in the Valley, strengthening the unity of the Albanian factor, and projects aimed at helping young people.

President Begaj delivered messages on cooperation, political unity, and joint efforts to ensure respect for the rights of Albanians living in the Presevo Valley.

The Head of State encouraged the political leaders of the area to unite whenever the national interest and the protection of the rights of Albanians in the Valley are at stake.

Begaj also conveyed these messages during his speech to citizens in Presevo on the occasion of the opening of the Albanian Book Fair 2026.

He also guaranteed Albania’s support in addressing the issue of the Presevo Valley, fair representation in institutions, concerns over the deactivation of addresses, as well as the right to use the mother tongue and national symbols.

“The rights and freedoms of Albanians in the Presevo Valley and wherever they live must be respected. Albanians must live here, must not be discriminated against, the Albanian language must be used without hesitation or fear, and culture, values, identity and traditions must be protected and promoted,” the President said.

Begaj reaffirmed that Albanians are a factor of peace and cooperation in the Western Balkans.

According to him, protecting the Albanian language and culture in Presevo is part of European standards on rights and cultural diversity.

“Albanian identity has been built on European values, on respect for freedom, human dignity, coexistence, the rule of law and a culture of dialogue. Therefore, protecting the Albanian language and culture in the Presevo Valley is not a matter of nostalgia, it is not only a national issue, it is part of the European system itself for the protection of rights, it is part of our vision as a nation for the future,” Begaj stressed.

In particular, the President addressed the young people of Presevo, inviting them to use Albanian not only as a family language, but also as the language of knowledge, profession, creativity and success.

“The Albanian language in these lands is a living and inalienable treasure, it is a strategic investment in the future of the nation. Use the Albanian language not only as the language of the family and to preserve tradition, but also as the language of knowledge, profession, creativity and your success here in the Valley,” he said.

The Head of State pledged that he would continue to be an advocate for the denied rights of Albanians in the Presevo Valley in every international institution and chancery.

“I want to assure you that the institution I represent will always remain a supporter of initiatives that strengthen cultural cooperation, promote books in the Albanian language, and build bridges of communication between Albanians wherever they live,” Begaj declared.