Skopje, 22 November 2023 (MIA) - Addressing an event on the 115th anniversary of the standardization of the Albanian alphabet, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said by respecting different languages, we confirm that we are a functional multi-ethnic society, an example in the region and in Europe. 

"Today is a big day for our fellow Albanians and a big day for our common history. It is a special honor for me to address today's formal academy. On this day, in 1908, the famous Bitola Congress was held in "the city of the consuls" - Bitola, where the foundations of Albanian literacy were laid. At the Congress, which was attended by numerous prominent members of the Albanian people from all over the world, the process of creating a unique, standardized Albanian alphabet, which is used today, was completed," Kovachevski said.

He mentioned that the only woman participant at the congress, Parashqevi Qiriazi, would later write an abecedarium on the Albanian alphabet in 1909.

"The unification and standardization of the Albanian alphabet made way for the Albanian alphabet to become part of the treasury of the world's cultural heritage. The language and culture of a people are its identity, its mark and represent its code," the PM stressed. 

Kovachevski said that on this soil, various languages, religions and cultures have been nurtured for centuries. People spoke differently, he added, but understood each other because they were connected in tolerance, respect, love for one another.

"We have persisted precisely because of togetherness. So allow me to say that as long as we respect each other, we will understand each other," Kovachevski pointed out. 

He noted that one of the most important recognizable features of the Republic of North Macedonia is its multi-ethnic and multi-confessional character, which makes the country unique.

"Although we don't all speak the same language, our history, our roots are intertwined and interconnected. We are all different, but at the same time we share the same challenges. And we are the same in our commitment to build one society for all, one country for everyone where everyone can freely create, write, live, each in their native language, but with due respect for the other. We continue to build a country where the mother tongue is nurtured in schools, municipalities, and hospitals. We create space for an even greater strengthening and valorization of ethnic values, we give space to coexistence, not to prejudices," said the Prime Minister. 

According to him, respect for diversity is a prerequisite for building a democratic state, based on civilizational values.

"And, therefore, we took a series of measures towards supporting and preserving the mother tongue by establishing institutions for the promotion of the mother tongue, by enabling its learning even in primary education, because it must be nurtured, and it will be nurtured if it is spoken," said Kovachevski. 

The PM stressed that we must continue to nurture European, civilizational values, to be united in diversity.

"Let's respect each other, help each other for the good of this country that we want to see as soon as possible as part of the European family of nations. Let's build a European state on the foundations of community," Kovachevski said, congratulating the Albanian Alphabet Day. 

President Stevo Pendarovski pointed out that the 115th anniversary of the Congress in Bitola is a key point in the history of the Albanian people, which laid the foundations for the standardization of the Albanian language.

For years, as a country, he said, we have continuously confirmed that we recognize and value different linguistic and cultural identities, and in that sense we are a rare positive example on the entire European continent. He noted this does not mean that all dilemmas and challenges on that path have been resolved, or that interethnic tolerance and respect for those who are different from us is definitely a lesson learned.

"However, it is an indisputable fact that the Macedonian model of multicultural coexistence inhibits potential tendencies for internal stratification and divisions, which, according to my deep conviction, will contribute in the coming years to the Macedonian and Albanian languages, after a long journey, becoming part of the common European language space within the European Union. In that context, we must not ignore or underestimate the challenges, but we have no reason not to highlight and celebrate the successes that have shaped the evolution of the Macedonian and Albanian languages," the President said. 

According to him, North Macedonia is facing the eternal challenge of balancing interethnic relations, with the aim of promoting equal opportunities for all citizens, and we are doing this in an unstable external environment burdened with territorial conflicts, historical frustrations and nationalism. However, he said, the only way towards an inclusive state is through the establishment of a system in which the legal frameworks in place are consistently and not only formally respected, and policies are created that do not discriminate against anyone.

The President noted that multiculturalism is a valuable asset in both historical and contemporary contexts. The emphasis on linguistic, cultural and ethnic diversity, he pointed out, highlights the importance of encouraging inclusiveness, understanding and cooperation in all spheres of our common living and working.

"States do not fall apart because of linguistic pluralism, least of all because of the increase in the quantum of linguistic rights of any ethnic community. States go backwards if they do not use the potential of each of their citizens, and each of us enters our life and professional battles with what we carry within us - our knowledge and skills, our experience and our conscience. But in all life's battles we enter, first and foremost, with our name and identity. And they rely on our mother tongue," said Pendarovski.

Photo: MIA