According to the Ministry, the primary focus lies on the interwar period and regional Albanian heritage.

“The cooperation has already a concrete starting point: documents selected by the Institute’s researchers from the Historical and Diplomatic Archive. Studying these documents will lay the groundwork for joint research, publications and scholarly activities,” the Ministry said.

According to the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the archival documents shed light on the activities of diplomatic and consular missions, relations with Albanian communities in the region, and efforts to preserve Albanian identity, education and culture.

“The years 1918–1939 brought significant political and social changes that impacted the lives of Albanians beyond the borders of the Albanian state. Archival documents provide evidence of the activities of diplomatic and consular missions, ties with Albanians in the region and efforts to preserve Albanian identity, education and culture,” the Ministry said.

MEFA appreciated that, “The value of an archive is also revealed in what happens after a file is opened: a fact clarified, a connection uncovered, a story completed.”

“By studying this evidence together, we bring Albanian heritage closer to researchers and the public,” the ministry said.

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Albanians in North Macedonia view this book fair as a major cultural celebration uniting authors, researchers and readers. Over the four-day event from June 4 to 7, the fair will host more than 55 publishing houses from North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania to showcase Albanian literature and heritage.

This four-day, nationwide book fair features promotions, author meetings, and cultural activities. Co-organized by the Municipality of Çair (Skopje) and the Institute of Book and Promotion (Tirana), the event aspires to become an annual tradition. Its goal is to boost reading culture and connect readers directly with their favorite authors and publishers. /p.s./

The protesters marched further on towards the North Macedonian embassy in Tirana, holding national flags and placards writing “We are together”.

At the start of the protest, there was played the national anthem and there were calls such as “Albanian language, our language”, “We want official Albanian” and “How good it would be to be Albanian!”. The protesters also played the song “I Got Words” by Shkurte Fejza.

The students emphasized that their protest has no political character and requested that it should not be used for party purposes.

They emphasized the necessity of guaranteeing the Albanian language its rightful place in academic processes in North Macedonia.

A student from North Macedonia told the protesters that their demand is related to equality and dignity.

“We are not asking for privileges, but equality and respect for our language. The Albanian language is our identity and the legacy of generations,” he said.

Students from Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia participated in the protest. /gj.m/r.e/p.s./

Hundreds of citizens and students rallied in Skopje yesterday to demand the use of the Albanian language in professional exams. Organizers clarified that the peaceful protest aimed to protect Albanian linguistic rights and dignity in North Macedonia. Three individuals who were detained during the demonstration were released today.

In a post in the social media, Meidani wrote that, “When students are stopped, delayed, and intimidated simply for peacefully advocating for their linguistic rights, this goes far beyond a procedural issue. It directly undermines the democratic values and shared European spirit we are trying to build”.

He emphasized that the students traveling from Tirana to North Macedonia did not come seeking conflict. Rather, their journey was an act of civic solidarity to support a fundamental right: the freedom to test and practice their profession in their native language,” Meidani said.

These young people are demanding dignity and fundamental rights, not privileges. The ambassador noted that requesting basic dignity should never be treated as a threat, especially in countries whose future is anchored in European values of democracy and equality. /p.s./

Under the motto “Unite with students— all unanimously,” the students from across North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania and other Albanian space are gathering to demand that the state allow exams to be held in Albanian. Organizers are strongly urging maximum citizen participation for this pivotal event.

Gathering together at the Stone Bridge, we stand for our language,” the students’ announcement states, emphasizing the vital role of the Albanian language in professional and institutional settings.

Albania’s Ambassador to Skopje Denion Meidani has championed the rights of Albanian students protesting for their language in North Macedonia. By sharing verses from Father Gjergj Fishta’s “The Albanian Language,” Meidani invoked the legendary writer’s patriotic legacy, celebrating the mother tongue as an enduring pillar of cultural resilience and national dignity.

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Speaking about the request of the students in North Macedonia to take the exam in the Albanian language, Minister Hoxha appreciated this as a legitimate right guaranteed by the Constitution.

“This right should not be questioned, nor limited, nor become an obstacle in practice. This issue should be addressed institutionally, through dialogue and in accordance with the legislation of that country and the standards of the European Union. To advance their EU bids, Albania and North Macedonia must speed up legal and political alignment with European standards. North Macedonia and Albania are treated as a single block; the disparity in their current negotiation pace does not change our position. Their aim is also to become a member of the European Union”, emphasized Hoxha.

Hoxha said that it is important that these matters are managed with responsible, non-political oversight to foster regional stability, coexistence, and European integration.

In conclusion, Hoxha reiterated that Albania remains a partner committed to peace, stability and strengthening good neighborly relations in the region. /e.i/j.p/p.s./

Head of State held talks with local representatives, including Mayor of Çair municipality Izet Mexhiti, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and strengthening ties among Albanians in the region.

President Begaj said that the decentralization reform in North Macedonia is expected with hope and confidence by local representatives of Albanians, as a step towards strengthening local government and increasing effective representation.

The visit of the Albanian President aims to deepen bilateral relations, as well as support processes that contribute to the stability, coexistence and European integration of the region. /gj.m/a.f/p.s./

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj expressed this stance during his official visit to the Republic of North Macedonia, where he was afforded a state reception by President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.

The heads of the two states held a tête-à-tête meeting and then in the presence of their delegations.

During the joint press conference with his North Macedonian counterpart, President Begaj spoke about the conclusions of this meeting.

“The Albanian factor in North Macedonia remains a cornerstone of the state’s democratic, multiethnic character, playing a pivotal role in its Euro-Atlantic integration”, said the Head of State.

While appreciating the efforts to build a functional multiethnic society, President of the Republic reiterated to President Siljanovska-Davkova the country’s firm stance on upholding all obligations stemming from the Ohrid Framework Agreement.

The President of the Republic devoted special importance during this visit to the deepening of cooperation in the academic and educational fields.

President Begaj assured President Siljanovska-Davkova that Albania remains committed not only to political, economic and social cooperation, but also to promoting good neighborliness and dialogue in the Western Balkans, essential for EU membership. /gj.m/a.f/p.s./

The meeting took place in the framework of further strengthening bilateral cooperation and was followed by a joint press statement.

Minister Koçiu emphasized that Albania and North Macedonia are two partner countries, connected by a common geographical area, common interests and the same European aspirations, as candidate countries for membership in the European Union.

Koçiu emphasized that eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy for citizens and businesses is a necessary and practical step in function of the common European future.

The two counterparts discussed on transformation of the existing contact point into a full-fledged Police and Customs Cooperation Center, which will operate non-stop and will enable real-time coordination between the relevant structures.

“Such a center will significantly increase security, strengthening capacities against illegal migration, crime and smuggling, as well as reducing bureaucracy and waiting times at the border,” said Koçiu.

The minister noted that in just one year, about 5 million crossings and about 1.8 million vehicles were registered on the border between the two countries, which makes it even more necessary to improve border procedures and infrastructure.

Another important topic discussed was the replication of the successful “One Stop Shop” model for unified border control at all crossing points, before the summer season, as well as the facilitation of procedures during the tourist season.

They also discussed on increasing the joint patrols on Lake Ohrid and the development of other joint projects in the field of security.

In conclusion, Minister Koçiu praised the full readiness of North Macedonia to further strengthen the bilateral partnership, thanking Minister Toshkovski and inviting him for a visit in Tirana in the near future. Koçiu also expressed her gratitude to the OSCE teams for their continued support in materializing ideas into concrete cooperation mechanisms and in aligning with the best European standards in the field of security. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

During the visit, Spiropali emphasized that Skopje is a city where Albanian history lingers with its deep and lasting traces. And she mentioned prominent figures of the nation such as Saint Teresa, Pjetër Bogdani and Hasan Prishtina, who represent the foundations on which the identity, dignity and national vision of Albanians is built.

She praised the role of the Institute as a point of reference not only for Albanians in North Macedonia, but for the entire Albanian space, underlining the importance of scientific studies on the Albanian language, cultural heritage and historical memory, which directly contribute to strengthening collective consciousness.

In her speech, Spiropali also emphasized that the Albanian language, as the official language of North Macedonia, must be protected and continuously cultivated, both in legal terms and in everyday practice.

She highlighted the significance of its transmission from generation to generation, with love and responsibility, as a common asset of the country’s multiethnic mosaic.

The minister stated that the Albanian language unites us as a voice of history and root of identity and that each letter holds memory anchor, light and sacrifice that still lives. /gj.m/a.f/p.s./