Comparative Analysis of the Situation of Ethnic Minorities in Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia

Zenun Halili

doi:10.22178/pos.52-5

Abstract

This paper aims at discussing the matter of the national minorities in Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia. Role, position and the rights of the national minorities are the key focus of this study. While the Balkan countries and some European countries have had issues with recognizing and supporting the different ethnic communities living within their borders, Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia have, since their independence, recognized the existence of different communities as a given fact. Since gaining independence, they have constitutionally guaranteed all citizens freedom of association for the ‘accomplishment and protection of their political, economic, social, cultural and other rights and beliefs. Being a geographical part of the Western Balkans, these two countries have been delayed in the European integration process even though their peoples and governments aspire to become part of the European Union. I think that national minorities have an important role in this process because, in the past, these two states have been characterized by a lack of respecting the rights of national minorities. For this reason, both countries have faced a lack of internal stability and conflict with each other as a result of the lack of respect for the rights of respective national minorities.

Highlights

Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia are two countries located in the Western Balkans area, a geographic area in Southeast Europe, where four of the great civilizations of the world have followed each other to produce a dynamic, diverse and versatile local civilization
The first recognition and international guarantee of the rights of national minorities were made in the Vienna treaties of 1815, where Russia, Prussia, and Austria agreed to respect the nationality of their Polish citizens [6]
We can say that the problem of national minorities in Kosovo and North Macedonia has been a permanent problem as it has been in other Western Balkan countries

Summary

Introduction

Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia are two countries located in the Western Balkans area, a geographic area in Southeast Europe, where four of the great civilizations of the world have followed each other to produce a dynamic, diverse and versatile local civilization This region has been a meeting point for the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, Byzantium, Ottoman Turkey, and Catholic Europe, which clashed and once they merged. Because of the imperial wars in the Balkan region, large population movements have taken place, while various religious and cultural influences led to the mix of Catholic and Orthodox Christianity with Islam. This has affected Balkan peoples for thousands of years living within large multi-ethnic states

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