Begaj from Presevo Valley: Protecting Albanian is part of European values

President Begaj held separate meetings with Presevo Mayor Ardita Sinani, the mayor of the Bujanci municipality, Arber Pajaziti, the chairman of the Albanian National Council, Enkel Rexhepi, with the only Albanian MP in Serbia's Parliament, Shaip Kamberi, with whom he talked about addressing the worries of the Valley Albanians, for strengthening the unification of the Albanian factor, as well as for projects that will help the youth.

Begaj conveyed messages for co-operation, unity of the political factor and efforts to respect the rights of Albanians living on these lands.

The head of the Albanian state encouraged political leaders of this three to unite whenever it comes to national interest, protection of the rights of Albanians in the Presevo Valley.

The head of state reinforced these messages even during a speech given to citizens in Presevo on the occasion of opening the Albanian Book Fair 2026.

During that word, he guaranteed Albania's support for addressing the issue of the Presevo Valley, fair representation in institutions, concern for the equipment of addresses, as well as the right to use native language and national symbols.

“The rights and freedoms of Albanians in the Presevo Valley and wherever they live should be respected, Albanians must live here, not discriminated against, Albanian language used without fear, culture, values, identity and traditions to be protected and promoted”, Begaj stressed.

President Begaj reaffirmed that Albanians are a factor of peace and co-operation in the Western Balkans and that protecting Albanian language and culture in Presevo is part of European standards for cultural rights and diversity.

Albania's <x0] identity is built on European values, on respect for freedom, human dignity, co-existence, rule of law and culture of dialogue. Therefore, protection of Albanian language and culture in the Presevo Valley is not a matter of nostalgia, it is not just a national issue, it is part of the European rights protection system itself, it is part of our vision as a nation for the future”.

He specifically addressed the young people of Presevo, inviting them to make Albanian languages of knowledge, profession, and success, not just family language.

I have a message for those kids and young people present today. You live at a time when knowledge is more accessible than ever before, but even when the challenge to preserve identity is even more complex. The Albanian language in these lands is a living and inevitable asset, a strategic investment for the future of the nation. Use the Albanian language not only as a family language and to preserve tradition, but also as a language of knowledge, occupation, creativity and success here in the Valley, because a language really lives when it is written, read, and when it creates knowledge and inspires generations”, Begaj said.

The head of the Albanian state pledged that he would continue to be a lawyer for the denied rights of Albanians of the Presevo Valley at any institution and international Chancellor.

“ /Periscope/