Albanians in Macedonia want to be part of new name decision-making

The forum of Albanian intellectuals estimates that any solution that can be reached will not be valid for Albanians unless it reflects reality in Macedonia, as a state where two large ethnic communities -- Macedonians.

There was an agreement between Macedonians and Albanians, any decision, any appointment of the country would be invalid because the practice taught us to think so. In 1991, Albanians ignored neither the Constitution, nor the flag, nor the independence, nor anything else, so it also brought the war of 2001”.

“So, of course, Macedonia's name must include reality as a name that only Macedonians are named and ignored is ignored by Albanians, I believe it will be the basis for a conflict situation in the future”, says Radio Free Europe, the Pollozian Rescue, one of the Albanian Forum's directors, suggesting that this mechanism will soon come up with a concrete proposal for Macedonia's new name.

Pollozhani for this bypass of Albanians, blames DUI, the Albanian political party in the government, which, according to him, has taken the role of submissive in the government of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.

Talks on the name issue have so far been held between the two countries' negotiating groups, while now among the foreign affairs ministers, who later for the course of talks or positions on the other side, will inform the top state leaders.

In these consultancy talks except DUI does not participate in the Albanian opposition, which has also reacted to its non-involvement, while it has indicated that it will reject any solution that may be with any Slavic appointment.

“We, as the Alliance for Albanians, oppose trends for name Slavism, as we have said we are against the name Slavic Macedonia. We are also opposed to the proposal being heard in diplomatic circles about the idea to use geographically defined names written only in Macedonian language as “Gorna Makedonija”. We oppose that, because this too presents the tendency for Slavism and embezzlement of emir”, claims Ziadin Sela, chairman of the Alliance for Albanians in opposition.

From the Democratic Union for Integration in Government, they say Albanians are part of the dispute settlement and that the new name must reflect reality. But, Bujar Osmani deputy prime minister for European affairs, during his recent visit to Belgrade, has declared that for this most important party, a solution is to be found, as this would unblock the Euro-intangigative process.

I think Albanians are very interested in what Macedonia will be called. Macedonia's name should reflect demographic reality in the country and therefore we are part of these talks. But for us, it is very important to resolve, to close this issue, because it is blocking NATO integration and for us NATO it is like being or not being. It's a existential issue for the state, it's a matter of existence for people living inside, including Albanians”, Osmani has declared.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has recently declared that the government he heads accepts a solution to the geographical name, while as possible names for solutions, northern Macedonia, Upper Macedonia, Macedonia and Vardar and Macedonia (Skopje) are mentioned.

The talks are expected to intensify by next week, while the government does not rule out the possibility of reaching a solution by the end of March. In the event of the impasse of negotiations, they are expected to be included by top Western diplomats.

The resolution of the 25-year conflict would also imply Macedonia's NATO membership and unblocking the process of membership in the European Union.