Albin Kurti must be held responsible for the removal of Albanian as an official language in North Macedonia

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti could have welcomed North Macedonian opposition leader Hristijan Mickoski without endorsing Mickoski's efforts to remove Albanian as an official language in North Macedonia.

Instead, Kurti received Mickoski with high honors, effectively excusing his push to erase Albanian from North Macedonia's official status. Kurti even claimed that Albanian was never an official language there, revealing his disregard for the hard-fought history of Albanians in both Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Albanian has been recognized as an official language in North Macedonia since 2001, following the Ohrid Agreement. This agreement, signed after an armed uprising by Albanians, acknowledged them as a state-forming minority. The constitution clearly designates Albanian as an official language, implemented in regions with Albanian majorities. Over time, Albanian representation in North Macedonia's administration also grew stronger.

This progress faced its first major threat after recent elections in North Macedonia. The nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party won, and the Albanian political bloc weakened, thanks in part to Kurti’s interference. By supporting a group of Albanian candidates aligned with Mickoski, Kurti splintered Albanian unity and empowered Mickoski's agenda.

Kurti’s actions have marginalized Albanians in North Macedonia, rendering them politically irrelevant. In doing so, he has effectively cleared the path for Mickoski to undermine Albanian rights. Kurti appears driven by a personal agenda: erasing the legacy of prominent Albanian leaders like Ali Ahmeti and the contributions of the National Liberation Army, while positioning himself as the architect of a new era — one where Albanians are powerless and their language stripped of official status.

Kurti has openly justified his actions. His dismissive claim that Albanian was never an official language in North Macedonia is as bold as his defense of ministers embroiled in corruption scandals in Kosovo. By aligning with Mickoski’s nationalist policies, Kurti has not only harmed the aspirations of Albanians in North Macedonia but taken responsibility for this betrayal. He seems to challenge Albanians to accept Mickoski’s dominance, leaving them with fewer rights and less hope.

For this, Kurti owes an explanation — and a reckoning — to Albanians in both North Macedonia and Kosovo. His actions have inflicted a severe blow on their aspirations and could destabilize North Macedonia altogether. The removal of Albanian as an official language would ignite tensions with far-reaching consequences.

Albanians in North Macedonia must recognize that Kurti and Mickoski are two sides of the same coin. Protests should not be limited to Mickoski's offices but extend to Kurti’s as well. It’s time for Kurti to confront the fallout of his delusional attempts to rewrite the history of Kosovo and Albanians in North Macedonia.

If Kurti continues on this path, his legacy will not be one of leadership or progress but as an anti-Albanian force who undermined his own people’s hard-won achievements.

The article initially appeared in Albanian titled: "Albin Kurti u ka borxh shqiptarëve, heqjen e gjuhës shqipe si gjuhë zyrtare"