Begaj made the remarks during a meeting with Ardita Sinani, mayor of Presevo, where discussions focused on issues affecting the local Albanian community, including the protection of their fundamental rights and support for economic development.

The head of state assured Sinani that Albania “has been and will remain the voice of Albanians” in Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvegja.

“I will continue to raise the concerns of Albanians in the Presevo Valley in all international organisations and in my meetings with partners, in defense of their rights,” Begaj said.

The meeting also highlighted Albania’s engagement in efforts to counter the “passivisation” of addresses affecting Albanians living in Serbia, a practice that can lead to the denial of fundamental rights, ranging from voting rights to access to healthcare, education and representation in state institutions.

Begaj also welcomed the inclusion of issues affecting the Presevo Valley in the progress report of the European Union and efforts to bring the address passivisation issue before the European Court of Human Rights, which has accepted the case for review.

He further noted that U.S. lawmakers have raised the issue and called on the U.S. Department of State to examine the concerns.

Begaj added that matters related to national and cultural identity should unite political and social actors in the Presevo Valley, urging stronger cooperation among them.

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