Skopje, 22 November 2023 (MIA) — Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski extended his best wishes to the Albanian ethnic community in the Republic of North Macedonia on Nov. 22, Albanian Alphabet Day.

Pointing out that the Albanian alphabet is part of the diverse world cultural heritage, Minister Spasovski wrote: "United in diversity, we continue on the path of our integration into the European Union."

He noted the great importance of the holiday for all Albanians, and said it proved that language and writing bridge communities, traditions, cultures and spiritual heritage.

"In Bitola on Nov. 22, 1908, the prominent Albanian cultural and political figures participating in the Bitola Congress closed their meeting by unanimously adopting a decision on a unified Albanian alphabet," Spasovski wrote, adding that Paraskevi Kirijazi, the only woman who participated in the Bitola Congress, later wrote the first Primer of the standardized Albanian language and alphabet that is in use to this day.

The interior minister also pointed to solidarity, coexistence, and mutual respect as European values uniting diverse communities and wished Albanian-language speakers many more years of celebrating Albanian Alphabet Day. mr/