The Albanians are among the oldest peoples of Europe, with roots that date back thousands of years before the formation of modern states. Yet this autochthonous nation, which contributed to the building of European civilization, remains divided among several states due to the unjust decisions of the great powers. The London Conference of 1913 not only partitioned Albanian lands but also created a reality that, even more than a century later, has not been corrected.

In Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Sandžak, and Çamëria, Albanians constitute an important ethnic, cultural, and political factor. In Serbia alone, in regions such as the Sandžak of Niš, Preševo, Bujanovac, and Medveđa, more than 700,000 Albanians live deprived of their fundamental social, educational, and national rights. Meanwhile, in Çamëria, tens of thousands of Albanians were violently expelled from their ancestral lands, and to this day they have not been granted the right to return or to receive compensation.

Why, then, are Albanians denied the right to decide their own destiny?

The right to self-determination is a fundamental principle of international law, yet when it comes to the Albanians, this principle is applied with double standards. The international community, which has recognized the independence of many other peoples, refuses even to allow a referendum on Albanian national unification, hiding behind the argument of “regional stability.”

In reality, the true fear is political: a united Albanian nation would become a powerful factor in the Balkans, with significant economic, cultural, and geostrategic influence. It is precisely for this reason that Albanians are kept divided — so they may never speak with a single voice on the international stage.

But the time of silence is coming to an end. Albanian unification is not a threat — it is a historical and moral right. A nation that shares the same language, culture, and history cannot remain divided forever. Albanians do not seek more than others — they seek justice, dignity, and the right to decide their own fate in their own homeland.

Vlorë, December 4, 2025