Ali Ahmeti talks change Kosovo borders

The chairman of the Democratic Union for Integration in Macedonia, Ali Ahmeti, in an interview for KosovoPress, says these things should be thought carefully and coolly because if change of borders starts, then there will be domino effect for other countries as well.

Ahmeti, says Russia, which wants the Western Balkans to be part of the EU, is also contributing to this idea. Even top Russian officials -- President Vladimir Putin and Sergey Lavrov -- have openly said that Macedonia's NATO membership is the most classic and the worst one that can become Russia.

DUI leader says the only union of Albanians can take place in the European Union, removing borders.

“Change of borders I see the domino effect. There are its risks, maybe someone can like me, I have heard there are statements even from the Kremlin, there are statements why Kosovo may be independent, why Kosovo is independent, or I have heard statements from Serbian authorities that should become the change of borders of Kosovo. However, if this change begins, I fear the domino effect and how that change will be made, it is now manipulated by 13 percent of Kosovo's territory with the north with the Presevo Valley, what will be the separation, whether you will prepare once more to share and break the spaces. How are you going to separate Bujanoc, how you're going to split Medvedja, how you're going to divide the Syrian Village. Now some of those Medvedja people have abandoned their seats and settled in Fushe Kosovo, Pristina, but again people are connected to its foundations, to their own cemetery, when a division occurs or cannot be so freely returned to its homeland. These are things that need to be thought of with great wisdom, with a lot of coolness, not to launch a process that has a very high cost”, Ahmeti said.

Macedonia's Albanian leader seeks from Serbian authorities, Kosovo authorities, but also authorities in Macedonia and Albania to quietly analyse the circumstances of which is more productive and useful for the region.

“A we now begin to think about how to reposition borders or how these boundaries are levelled and there are no borders, but to be part of the European Union and to be an integrated part of NATO. Now someone might say we're not for Yugoslav markets, somebody says we're not for Yugoslav space, I think we should be very careful here and have scientific analysis and just put it on the table. What's more useful for citizens, for Albanians, and finally how it turns out that way we have to do it. I'm not about to act with euphoria, emotion, or folklore. We go back to rationality, these are the subjects that want rationality, they want strong reasons. We are always called to NATO, let's put on balance, are we going to Europe and install European standards in the region, become part of NATO and ensure that long-term stability, or we will stop at «talking about regional problems”, Ahmeti said.

Ahmeti stresses how Albanians have never been better, but whether there is no reason to do better, of course they can do better and to meet standards and become part of Europe and remove borders in between, as there is no reason to have borders and wait three hours at the Blace border between Kosovo and Macedonia.

According to him, EU integration is beneficial for all, as according to Ahmeti, the European Union is the value that respects diversity.

In this interview, the DUI leader has also talked about the situation of Albanians in Macedonia, saying they are better than ever before, but it is still needed to achieve all that is needed to be equal to Macedonians in every respect.

He calls the election campaign the rumours that Albanians are bad in Macedonia currently, despite still having work to do. According to him, it could be said that Albanians in the Presevo Valley are in a bad situation.

However, Albanians in the Republic of Macedonia have come out of nowhere, we haven't closed it all because it's a process, it's a development. We're talking like this now as Albanians, I've got the national flag legalized here and we use it as official. I have two state universities here in Albanian, with tens of thousands of students, I have here how to say great national personalities and figures placed on the main squares of Skopje. If you go to “Square Skenderbeu” and to see the mosaic that is in the old city of Skopje, my skin is shivering because it's the story of Albanians from Lezha's connection to the emblems not only for Albanians but for Europe, Adam Yashari. Now to say that Albanians are persecuted, discriminated against, to say that Albanians are no god instead of themselves, I would say it is a bit excessive”, Ahmeti said.

He has also talked about court processes against Albanians, saying they have been mounted and unconfirmed. He even asks Albanians to stand up for what they have won with war. He says they will not expect incumbent Prime Minister Zoran Zaev or former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to give either Albanian or workplace.

I care about justice, as is the Kumanovo process, but I have motivated, but I demand that justice be brought to light. It can't be. You know how many cops there were until 2001 here, 170 cops, but today there are 2,000. You know how many officers and NCOs have been here, 64 today are 2,000. It means Albanians have 4 thousand armed forces in these spaces. But, all should professionally work -- all of them -- have been an administration of 2 per cent -- today is a state administration with 20 per cent. But now everyone must in front of them to work, everyone has to do their own services. I don't agree to be in position forever of complainers, we're always complaining, we've got us, you've won them in war, you've gained legal equality, you've gained political equality, you've got materialize, you're a director, you're a senior officer, you're a prime minister, you're a speaker of parliament, you're a responsible head. Everyone has to, don't wait for the other to give what belongs to you, you have the winnings, and we don't make sure that Zoran Zaevi gives us our rights, Nikola Gruevski, you've earned it.

On the issue most controversial in Macedonia, the introduction of the Albanian language as an official language in all institutions, Ahmeti says it is already a matter carried out, and after the end of local elections, it will be approved.

For this, he adds, they joined Zoran Zaev's party for a reform government, as all citizens of Macedonia expected.

“Now was the right moment to further advance in terms of representation of Albanians in important state institutions, such as the direction of the Parliament, and this was done. Macedonia's Parliament Speaker is Talat Xhaferi, and the law for use of Albanian as an official language has also been introduced in parliamentary procedure. It means debate is open, two weeks of debate in Macedonia's Parliament has been debated, and in the indefinite term, the Assembly hearing has been suspended because it began to devalve itself sessions by misusing the opposition, saying that we have introduced the law on Albanian language due to elections, for political marketing to win more in the elections, and here we cut it out indefinitely. The election cycle closes and the hearings continue until the law's vote... This is a matter done, the law has been debated at the hearing, it's in the end in the finals, and the numbers are out for the vote, this issue doesn't want to be questioned and taken as carried out”, Ahmeti said.

Ahmeti strongly believes that the introduction of the Albanian language as an official language will not stir up reactions of Macedonian citizens, nor will the 27 April scene repeat after the central elections in Macedonia, as it was a chaotic state and an accusation of uncontrolled energy.

DUI leader said he personally, but Macedonian institutions also have good reports with the Government of Kosovo and with that of Albania. Even, according to him, Macedonia and Kosovo have agreements signed more than with any other state in the region.

The second part of the interview with Ali Ahmeti can be read tomorrow, where it talks about local elections in Macedonia and other issues.