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The visa regime between Macedonia and Albania is a paradox

In this occasion I would like to introduce the Macedonian citizen to one paradoxical situation that takes place even today, in the 21st century, and which is vaguely known in the Macedonian public.

The paradox is called visa regime between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Albania. Namely, the regime is such that a Macedonian citizen of Albanian nationality can cross the border free of any expenses, while a Macedonian citizen of Macedonian nationality has to pay 10 euros to cross the border. There are reciprocal measures on the other side of the border where an Albanian citizen of Macedonian nationality does not pay anything to enter Macedonia, while the Albanian citizen of Albanian nationality has to pay 10 euros.

Some of you may not believe that such discrimination exists in the 21st century regardless of the fact that it irritates both sides. I don’t know what the reason for that is, we are neither different in color, shape, or wealth. The reason mentioned that every person can enter their native country for free (a Macedonian from Albania in Macedonia and an Albanian from Macedonia in Albania) for me, and for most citizens concerned with this problem is wrong. This barrier, artificially created by both countries is not only a bad political barrier, but at the same time, it is an economic and cultural one.

Nowadays, this problems concerns us a lot, especially as Macedonia, with all the means it has on its disposal, fights for alleviating the visa regime with the countries from the European Union, and on the other hand, leads this paradoxical discriminatory policy with its western neighbor. The same thing is rue for Albania.

The civil sector on both sides of the border has been reacting for years to fight this injustice. For what is worth, in the context of this initiative we received great support by the mayor of Debar, Argetim Fida and by the mayor of the neighboring municipality of Peshkopeja (Republic of Albania), Ilir Krosi.

In order to abolish this controversial decision by both governments, several civil society associations from both sides of the border, together with the mayors of the abovementioned municipalities, have signed a declaration in which they call for eliminating this barrier. The declaration was submitted to both governments, but, unfortunately, we have not received any answer for resolving this problem yet. 

 
By Goce Ljubinovski
(the author of this text is a project-coordinator of the sustainable development center in Debar)