Pustec incident, Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacts: Respect for national symbols is not a political issue

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, through an official statement, expressed regret over the omission of the Albanian National Anthem at a cultural event held yesterday in Pustec.

The event was attended by the Prime Minister of North Macedonia and the Mayor of Pustec. During the ceremony, the national anthem of North Macedonia was played, but not the Albanian anthem.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that, although the event was organized by a local association, the presence of senior institutional representatives gave it public significance. The ministry described the omission of the Albanian anthem as a serious shortcoming and a departure from the rules of protocol and institutional courtesy.

“MEPJs expresses regret over the fact that, at a cultural event held yesterday in Pustec, attended by the Prime Minister of North Macedonia and the Mayor, the Albanian National Anthem was not played alongside that of North Macedonia.

Although the event was organized by a local association, the presence of senior institutional representatives and locally elected officials gave it a particular public dimension. In this context, the omission of the Albanian National Anthem constitutes a serious shortcoming and a departure from the written and unwritten rules of courtesy and protocol, which require and impose respect for national symbols alongside those of the communities they represent.

Respect for national symbols should not be a matter of politics or interpretation. It is part of institutional ethics, protocol and, above all, mutual respect, particularly in a space where different communities and identities coexist.”

“In Pustec, just as in every part of the Republic of Albania, respect for national symbols is part of respect for citizens themselves, for the values of democratic coexistence and the civic culture that unites us. It is also a foundation of good neighborly relations and healthy relations between our peoples and our two countries,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Meanwhile, yesterday, Mickoski said that the government’s obligation is to establish stronger institutional ties with the Macedonian community in the Prespa region.

“But I also want to say something very clearly. Macedonians living outside the borders of North Macedonia should not be a topic only during holidays and festivals. Caring for their language, culture and ties with their homeland should be a consistent state policy.

Politicians come and go, governments change and mandates end. But the state must have continuity on issues that are greater than a single government or a single generation. Therefore, our obligation is to establish stronger institutional ties with the Macedonians in the Prespa region, greater support for cultural associations, more books, opportunities to learn and preserve the Macedonian language, more exchanges between students and young people, and many more opportunities for the young people of this area to get to know their homeland, while young people from the homeland get to know the Prespa region,” he declared.

“KORÇA BOOM”