Macedonians in Albania must encourage every progress of the country they live in, because it is in the interest of the European integration, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, said at the meeting with the representatives of the Macedonian community in Pogradec.

According to the Macedonian President, it is important that they should have a positive share, to be loyal citizens of Albania, promoters of positive trends and processes.

"Political organization makes them political life stakeholders, achieving all their rights and needs through the institutions. If there is minority in the neighboring countries, one should always have to think positively and creatively. It is not that we, the Macedonians in Macedonia, seek rights for Macedonians in Albania, but rather it is needed in the Balkans - Albanians in Macedonia to fight for the rights of Macedonians in Albania and then results in solidarity between the two communities and mutual assistance, using positive experiences in the interest of the countries where communities live", President Ivanov said.

President Ivanov said that it is necessary to change the minds of the members of the Albanian community in Macedonia, to contribute to the rights of the Macedonians in Albania, because it encourages interstate cooperation, it brings the two societies together. There are opportunities to apply for various European Union grants relating to regional projects which imply cross-border cooperation, beneficial for the entire Balkans.

"The Balkans needs to open, not only through infrastructure connectivity, but also mentally, so that people start thinking positively and implement all the initiatives towards improvement of the situation in the countries and of the communities", President Ivanov said.

The Macedonian President expects results soon of all initiatives of Macedonians in Albania to be in favor of the state, which should be granted candidate status, to begin the Euro-integration process in the interest of the entire region.

Main problem of the Macedonian community in Albania, as pointed out at the meeting with the Macedonian President, is education in native language and employment opportunities.

Jovan Shkambi, President of the Macedonian Association "Prespa" from Pogradec, said that they support the Government in Tirana in making a step to employ Macedonians and develop economy.

The statement of the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, is seen by Petre Shkambi Spiroski as a great hope for the Macedonians in Albania.

- Macedonians must receive help, because one can not claim rights for Albanians abroad without providing rights to minorities here, Shkambi Spiroski said, recalling the message of President Ivanov all requirements to be attained in Albania, with the local authorities, because their future is in Albania.

The meeting today, according to the President of the Alliance for European Integration, Edmond Temelko, gave the Macedonians an opportunity to share their problems and challenges with the Head of the Macedonian State, hoping that there will be positive political will to solve the problem by introducing the Macedonian language in schools.

- We have initiated this issue of re-employment of the Macedonians in the Albanian Army, who were dismissed in 1996 with the formation of the National Army, for their re-socialization. In the municipality of Porgradec, although majority Macedonian population, there is not a single Macedonian employed in the local administration, Temelko said, adding that the Macedonian minority is not taken care of.

The meeting of President Ivanov with members of the Macedonian community in Pustec, Korca and Pogradec was held on their own initiative and arranged during his last visit to Albania.