Sinani describes Begaj’s visit to Presheva as a strong sign of support

Presheva Municipality Mayor Ardita Sinani said the arrival of Albania’s president, Bajram Begaj, in the Presheva Valley is a clear indication of Albania’s uninterrupted institutional attention toward Albanians living in this area.

In a reaction published on Facebook, Sinani said she had the honor of welcoming President Begaj to a meeting she described as brotherly, stressing that the visit serves to strengthen cooperation between the Municipality of Presheva and the Republic of Albania.

She emphasized that, on behalf of all Albanians in the Presheva Valley, she once again thanked President Begaj for raising the issue of the Valley at the United Nations General Assembly.

According to Sinani, in his speech at the UN, President Begaj had called for the rights and freedoms of Albanians in the Presheva Valley to be respected.

“We cannot view today’s visit by the President of the Republic of Albania merely as an official visit. It is a powerful message that Presheva, and the Presheva Valley in general, are an inseparable part of the Albanian world and that this region remains under the continuous national and institutional attention of the Republic of Albania,” Sinani said.

She said that during the conversation with Begaj, they addressed the difficulties faced by Albanians in the Presheva Valley, with one of the main issues discussed being the selective deactivation of addresses.

Sinani added that the discussions also included the lack of state investment in infrastructure, especially in the field of education, specifically mentioning the condition of the “Prof. Ibrahim Kelmendi” Primary School in Presheva.

“I asked President Begaj, through his authority, to continue advocating with international institutions and the authorities in Belgrade so that this school no longer remains forgotten and neglected, but receives the attention it deserves,” the mayor of Presheva wrote.

She also announced that at the meeting she presented the concerns of young Albanians regarding discussions about the return of mandatory military service in Serbia, assessing that this situation is creating a sense of insecurity among citizens of the Valley.

In conclusion, Sinani thanked President Begaj for the visit and the support provided, while stressing that communication and cooperation on issues related to the interests of Albanians in the Presheva Valley will continue.

“This visit is not the end of one stage, but a new step in strengthening our inter-institutional ties and proof that Presheva and the Presheva Valley are not only part of the Albanian map, but also an inseparable part of our shared national care, responsibility and attention,” Sinani concluded.