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| Screenshot of Aulon Kalaja at A2CNN |
“I believe that the Cham issue is very close to being addressed after the Kosovo issue. I am convinced that the Americans and the West are very interested in a powerful Albanian state in the Balkans — and they have given us all the signals,” said Kalaja.
The Journalist’s Vision: A New Phase of Albanian Empowerment
According to Kalaja, the resolution of Kosovo’s status and its growing international recognition have set the stage for a broader geopolitical shift — one where Albania and Albanians across the Balkans will play a more influential role. He framed the “Albanian issue” as not only a matter of justice and historical correction but also as a long-term Western project aimed at stability and balance in the region.
“I think the Albanian question is the question of all questions,” Kalaja stated. “Many prominent American scholars have been fascinated by it. Twenty, thirty, or forty years ago we said the same about Kosovo — that the United States wasn’t listening. But look at Kosovo today: it’s a reality.”
Kalaja emphasized that such transformations don’t happen overnight. “These are major projects,” he said, “not something achieved in a single political term. The Cham issue has already been mentioned in the European Union — it is on the table, it’s a cause.”
The Cham Question: A Cause Waiting Its Turn
The Cham issue (Çështja Çame) refers to the historical displacement of the Cham Albanians from the Greek region of Thesprotia during and after World War II. For decades, it has remained a sensitive and unresolved topic between Albania and Greece, involving questions of property restitution, citizenship rights, and historical recognition.
While the issue has occasionally surfaced in diplomatic discussions, it has never been formally resolved — often sidelined due to regional sensitivities and geopolitical considerations. However, Kalaja’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment among many Albanians that the time may finally be approaching for the Cham question to be addressed on an international level.
“The Cham issue has reached the European Union. It has been mentioned — it’s real, it’s a cause. The Albanian question is very important, and I believe this is our century,” Kalaja declared confidently.
From Kosovo to Chameria: A Century of Albanian Self-Determination
Kalaja’s optimism draws from recent historical precedents. He reminded viewers that in the late 1990s, the idea of Kosovo’s independence seemed distant and unrealistic — especially in the aftermath of Albania’s political crisis of 1997.
“In 1998, you had the assassination of Azem Hajdari. Albania was burning. The Kosovo war was beginning. We came out of 1997 in total chaos. Did anyone then believe that the Kosovo issue would open up? But look where we are today,” he said. “We are in a much better position now. That’s why I think this is our century.”
His comments suggest a renewed confidence in Albania’s geopolitical relevance, underpinned by stronger ties with the United States and broader Western support. For Kalaja, the question is no longer whether the Albanian national agenda will progress — but how capable Albanians are of taking advantage of this historical moment.
Western Support and Strategic Interests
Kalaja hinted that Western powers view a strong, united Albanian factor as key to maintaining long-term stability in the Balkans. The U.S. and the European Union have consistently emphasized the importance of cooperation and regional peace, but analysts increasingly note that Albania and Kosovo’s alignment with NATO and Western institutions plays a strategic role in countering other regional influences.
The journalist argued that these signals from the West indicate a favorable geopolitical climate for addressing unresolved national issues — provided that Albanians act with unity, patience, and strategic vision.
“The West wants stability. They know that a strong Albanian presence in the Balkans guarantees that. But it depends on us — how capable we are of moving forward,” he noted.
Aulon Kalaja’s Message: The Albanian Century
Kalaja’s phrase — “this is our century” — has resonated strongly among viewers and on social media, where it has been widely shared by supporters of Albanian unity and identity. It captures a sense of national pride and historical destiny, combining realism with aspiration.
His argument ties into a broader regional narrative that the 21st century could be the era of Albanian affirmation, not just in political terms, but also in cultural, economic, and diplomatic influence across the Western Balkans.
Conclusion: A Vision for the Future
Whether one agrees with Kalaja’s assessment or not, his statement underscores a renewed confidence in the Albanian national cause — and an emerging belief that major unresolved issues, such as Chameria, may soon find their way into the international conversation.
If Kosovo was the challenge of the past generation, Chameria may well become the defining issue of the next. As Kalaja suggests, the real question now is not whether the opportunity will arise — but whether Albanians will be ready to seize it.