Albanian “triumfo” in Macedonia

The new Albanian-language law in Macedonia -- seen as the last legal provision stemming from the 2001 peace agreement, which ended an armed conflict between Albanian rebels and Macedonian security forces -- is expected to be adopted soon in the Macedonian parliament.

The law will increase the official use of Albanian throughout the country, where ethnic Albanians make up about a quarter of the population of 2.1 million. It will facilitate Albanian-language communication in institutions such as municipalities, hospitals and courts.

In an agreement between the main Social Democratic Party, LSDM and its Albanian coalition partners, the two main parts of the law were agreed to be sent to the Venice Commission for assessment.

The Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe, would be required to assess whether the marketing of bilingual banknotes and army and police uniforms are in line with the Macedonian Constitution and the Ohrid Peace Agreement for 2001.

If this is claimed, they could easily be included in the law shortly later, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev told the media on Saturday.

There will be no bilingual bills and uniforms [in the new law] if the Venice Commission does not confirm that this is in accordance with the constitution. We have no preconceptions about these» things, Zaev said.

Everything in the law that improves the quality of citizens' lives and allows the constitution» is included, he added.

Zaev promised the law to boost the official use of Albanian when he reached a coalition agreement with several Albanian parties earlier this year.

In July, party in coalition P The Movement for Reforms threatened to withdraw its vital support for the government if Zaev did not hand over the law within the first 100 days of his administration.

The current language law defines Albanian as the official language, but it has status only in areas where Albanians make up over 20 percent of the population.

New proposed law has prompted much criticism from former ruling party V MRO DPMNE, which has accused Zaev of making many concessions to Albanian partners and has betrayed Macedonia's national interests.

VMRO DPMNE insists the law could jeopardise Macedonia's unitary character.

Commenting on the possibility that some ethnic Macedonians see the language law as a threat, US Ambassador to Skopje Jess Baily said on Friday that it is important that law «is based on guidelines specified in the Ohrid Framework Agreement».

This is an important issue to discuss and find solutions to create a comprehensive society and a comprehensive political system, but also to preserve unity and community among all people in this country», Baily told Alsat M TV.

Sinisa James Marushiq/ BIRN