More than 1,900 Albanian students in North Macedonia have submitted a petition to Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, calling for the continuation of Ambassador Denion Meidani’s diplomatic mandate in Skopje.
The petition was officially delivered on Friday and reflects growing concern among Albanian students and activists over the decision to remove Meidani before the end of his mandate.
According to reports, Denion Meidani will no longer serve as Albania’s ambassador to North Macedonia, marking an early conclusion to his diplomatic mission in the country.
The decision has sparked public debate both in Albania and North Macedonia, especially among ethnic Albanian communities who viewed the ambassador as a strong voice in support of their rights and representation.
Why Is Ambassador Meidani Being Removed?
The reported reason behind the development is linked to dissatisfaction expressed by the VLEN coalition and the VMRO-DPMNE party regarding the ambassador’s public positions on political issues in North Macedonia.
Criticism intensified after Meidani’s stance on matters concerning the rights of Albanians in the country, including recent student protests demanding greater use and protection of the Albanian language.
Student organizations and supporters argue that the ambassador demonstrated solidarity with Albanian citizens and students during sensitive political debates, particularly those related to language equality and minority rights.
Students Defend Meidani’s Role
Students behind the petition described Ambassador Meidani as an important institutional supporter of Albanian youth and democratic values in North Macedonia.
Many signatories believe his removal sends the wrong political message at a time when discussions over ethnic representation and language rights remain highly sensitive in the country.
The petition campaign rapidly gained support online and among university students, eventually collecting more than 1,900 signatures.
Political Reactions Expected
The situation is expected to generate further political reactions in both Tirana and Skopje in the coming days. Analysts believe the issue could influence broader discussions regarding Albania’s diplomatic approach toward Albanian communities in the Western Balkans.
So far, Albanian authorities have not released a detailed public explanation regarding the ambassador’s replacement or the timing of the decision.