The meeting took place ahead of a rally organized by the Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans Organization, which is protesting the prosecution of former KLA leaders by the Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

President Begaj emphasized that the gathering in Tirana represented widespread support among Albanians for Kosovo’s legitimate fight for freedom.

“The KLA makes every Albanian proud. It is a fundamental part of our national history because it fought a just war against long-standing injustice,” Begaj said, underlining that the KLA had consistently enjoyed the support of Albania’s Western allies, as it was a liberating force, not an occupying one

The two leaders also discussed the broader role of ethnic Albanians across the Western Balkans and the importance of unity around national identity, peace, and stability.

President Begaj reaffirmed Albania’s support for Albanian political actors in the region, highlighting the need for cohesion and cooperation on issues tied to regional security, prosperity, and the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans.

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In his letter, Ahmeti underlines that North Macedonia’s current government is attacking the foundations of the Ohrid Agreement, stability and interethnic harmony in the country, bringing back tensions that could lead to a crisis similar to that of 2001.

“Today, the Chairman of the Democratic Union for Integration, Ali Ahmeti, has sent letters to the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, Kosovo President and Prime Minister, Vjosa Osmani and Albn Kurti, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the President of France Emmanuel Macron, and the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken,” DUI said in a press release.

In the letter, Ahmeti expresses his profound concern over the latest political and constitutional developments in North Macedonia put the Ohrid Agreement and the stability and equality principles in jeopardy.

“The last three decisions – the plan to repeal the Law of Languages, the ban on identification of ethnicity in state institutions and the formation of the government majority – represent a serious threat to the peace and stability of the country and the region as a whole. These three major blows to the foundations of the Ohrid Agreement constitute a serious threat to peace, stability, inter-ethnic harmony and multi-ethnic democracy in North Macedonia. These are not just internal political issues, but have serious consequences for the region and its stability. These interventions threaten to destroy the key elements of peace and equality, returning us to the conditions before 2001, which were the causes of the crisis and war of that year. I call on you for joint and determined action to protect the achievements of the Ohrid Agreement and the guaranteed rights of Albanians,” Ahmeti stated in his letter.

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“What Ali Ahmeti has done to advance the rights of Albanians in the neighbouring state and their affirmation as equal citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia is a historical lesson for all of us and the future generations,” PM Rama said.

“Ali Ahmeti can be highly criticized domestically as it is the right and duty of anyone in opposition to call for more from anyone in power … But what Ali Ahmeti has done with office to advance the rights of Albanians in the neighboring country and for their affirmation as equal citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia is a historical lesson for all of us and the future generations,” PM Rama said via the social media, posting a picture showing DUI leader Ali Ahmeti and North Macedonia’s first Albanian Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi.

Talat Xhaferi, the current Speaker of Parliament, is to take over as caretaker Prime Minister and will be the first-ever member of the country’s ethnic Albanian to hold the post.

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