The rights of Albanians in Macedonia have always caused conflicts with
ethnic Macedonians. In the early 90s, right after the republic declared
independence from the former Yugoslav federation, were very difficult
for the Albanians of Macedonia, who were prosecuted and imprisoned for
using national symbols.
Many protests and fights were needed until Albanian language was allowed in schools, while the opening of the Tetovo university went through many perils.
The lack of absence by the government in Macedonia forced Albanians to rebel several times, which peaked with the armed conflict in 2001.
After lowering guns and finding common language between all political factors in Skopje, an agreement was signed between Albanians and Macedonians. It was called the Ochrid Agreement, and it guaranteed equal rights between both ethnic groups.
16 years had to pass until Albanian became an official language of Macedonia. During this time, Albanians and international partners have requested an implementation of the document, as the only way of co-existence and stability.
After the recent elections, the Albanian factor decided to put as condition for its coalition the making of Albanian an official language in Macedonia. Debates about this matter made it impossible for Nikola Gruevski and his party, VMRO-DPMNE, to create a cabinet for the next government, although they won the highest number of seats in these elections.
This took place after Albanian parties, as never before, presented a joint platform as their condition for forming the new coalition. While Gruevski refused, Zoran Zaev of the Social-Democrats accepted to enter the negotiations.
With the votes of Albanian parties, Zaev created a government which allows Albanian as second official language of Macedonia. The acceleration of the law that allows both languages in Macedonia and the legal steps for the “3-6-9” plan that PM Zaev presented in Brussels, will be a pre-condition for Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic path.
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