-VATRA’S PRESS STATEMENT ON THE ALBANIAN LANGUAGE LEGISLATION IN MACEDONIA/

-VATRA WELCOMES THE PASSING OF THE LANGUAGE BILL BY MACEDONIA’S LAWMAKERS /

The Pan-Albanian Federation “VATRA” salutes the new bill on the official use of the minority languages passed by the Macedonian parliament.

The Pan-Albanian Federation “VATRA” acknowledges that it is a step in the right direction in a country with expressed ethnic differences.

Vatra regards highly the draft law which allows the use of the Albanian language in the government offices, as well as the parliament and other institutions of the administration, public enterprises, agencies, departments, commissions etc. The legislation extends the official use of the Albanian language in all levels of the local and central government.

Vatra congratulates the Albanian community on this achievement and calls upon the Albanian party officials weather in power or in opposition to unite their ranks in support of issues of such great national interest.

Vatra believes that the new legislation goes beyond the scope of a victory for Albanians, as it will appease the climate of disputes and ethnic tensions while enforcing human rights pursuant to the International treaties.

Yet the draft law does not come close to meeting the promises of the Social Democratic Party of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev upon receiving the support of the Albanian political parties. Still the bill is a step forward in the long-drawn struggle of the Albanians in Macedonia with respect to the use of their language. Its current approval paves the way towards reaching equal status between the Albanian and Macedonian language, which would entail a change of the country’s current constitution. Admittedly it is a tall order yet Albanians will strive harder towards such a major objective.