The Pan Albanian American Congress meets with the leader of the Democratic Union for Integration, Mr. Ali Ahmeti

The Pan Albanian American Congress meets with the leader of the Democratic Union for Integration, Mr. Ali Ahmeti – expresses concerns surrounding the suspension of the Census

Monday, 03 May 2021 – The Pan Albanian American Congress met with the leader of the Democratic Union for Integration, Mr. Ali Ahmeti as well as with Deputy Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia, Mr. Artan Grubi.  Also attending the meeting were representatives from Albanian American Cultural Center, Riverdale, NJ, Albanian American Cultural and Islamic Center “Hasan Prishtina”, Waterbury, CT, Albanian American Association “Uscana”, IL, Albanian American Association “Valet e Liqenit”, IL , Albanian American Cultural Center Dallas, TX.

PAAC and the other community representatives expressed concerns surrounding the suspension of the Census, continuing inequality of Albanians, inter-Albanian cooperation and relations with Bulgaria which is not only impeding Northern Macedonia’s integration but, since the EU has tied Albania and Northern Macedonia together in the integration process, Albania’s as well.

Mr. Ahmeti assured the participants that the suspension of the census is not only not a threat but, in fact, an advantage since it provides much more time for everyone to register.  He also stated that some comments by politicians to the effect that the diaspora registration may not be counted, is only empty political rhetoric and he expressed full confidence that the law will be followed and all diaspora registrants will in fact be included in the census.

Mr. Ahmeti highly valued the creation of PAAC and its role.  He stated that U.S. and EU support was essential for Northern Macedonia to resolve its differences with Greece and enable it to join NATO and that it is precisely this type of international support that is necessary to now overcome disagreements with Bulgaria.