Regarding yesterday's protests related to the issue of using the Albanian language when taking the bar exam and administrative procedures, the presidency of the Macedonian Concept has adopted a clear and unchanging position: Everyone who lives and works in Macedonia should know the Macedonian language and take exams in Macedonian. Just like in any normal country, a member of the EU. No more, no less!, the party's statement states.
"The Republic of Macedonia has one official language on its entire territory - the Macedonian language. It is not a matter of political will, but of state functionality, legal certainty and equal rules for all. And this does not diminish the value or use of the other languages of the ethnic communities in the country. The Albanian language cannot be a "superlanguage", with greater significance than the other languages of other ethnic communities. We are all equal citizens of the Republic, and thus our languages, which are a means of understanding, not of ethnic hegemony," the Macedonian Concept statement says.
The party emphasizes that their stance on this issue is not directed against anyone, "but rather it is a normal standard in every serious state - the language of the state is the foundation of institutions, education, public administration, and social cohesion."
"At the same time, we call on all citizens to remain calm and dignified. Protest is a democratic right, but it must not turn into pressure on institutions to abandon the principles of statehood and equality of rules."
Macedonian Concept will oppose any attempt to turn Macedonia into a state with parallel systems and standards. The state must function according to clear and equal rules for all – without exceptions, without double standards and without imposition.
"The Macedonian language is an obligation in the public system. It is a condition for integration, not a topic for blackmail," Macedonian Concept says.
