Skopje, 24 September 2024 (MIA) — There are no open issues at the linguistic level with Albania, the recent discourse has been artificially induced, according to Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski commenting on a statement given by Albania's Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali during her official visit to the country on Monday.

Asked by a reporter to comment on Spiropali's statement that "if the Albanian language is under threat, then the identity of the Albanians in Macedonia is also under threat," PM Mickoski said he had not heard her say this but he personally respected the Albanian language and it was not under any threat.

"None whatsoever. We are not like particular [EU] member states that like to threaten the identity of other nations. We have no such intention. On the contrary, we respect the identity and the uniqueness of the Albanian language, the Macedonian language, and all other languages spoken by the citizens of Macedonia," Mickoski said. 

"I personally respect them. At the August 2 celebration this year at Mechkin Kamen, the Manifesto was read in the Albanian language as well, and not only in the Macedonian language. So we back our words with deeds. There are politicians who are all talk, no action," he said, adding that he was not one of them and that he absolutely respected the Albanian language. 

"Every year, I extend my best wishes on Albanian Alphabet Day, Nov. 22. The Bitola mayor, who is from the ranks of VMRO-DPMNE, welcomed yesterday the Albanian parliament speaker to Bitola in an institution important for the Albanian language. So, not only is it not under threat, it has also been promoted further," he said. 

"I don't think we have any open issues at that level with Albania. These are artificially induced topics," Mickoski said.

He added that he would be more interested in the protection of the Macedonian language "not only here, but everywhere in the region where Macedonians live and speak their native Macedonian language."

"Also, I am looking forward to going to Mala Prespa [in Albania] soon and meeting the people there and talking with them in our native Macedonian language, and sharing literature in our native Macedonian language, written by Macedonian authors," the Macedonian PM said.

Commenting on his meeting with Spiropali on Monday, Mickoski said they had a friendly meeting and discussed the good relations between the two countries.

He said Albania's path to the EU was less riddled with difficulties. "Our saga has spanned over two and a half decades. They are lucky they didn't have the kind of obstructions we have had in the past two and a half decades," Mickoski said.

"I wish them the best of luck on their journey. Maybe one day our paths will unite again and together we will become a part of the European family," he said. mr/