North Macedonia’s political leaders on Wednesday marked the 24th anniversary of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, the peace accord that ended a 2001 armed conflict between ethnic Albanian insurgents and government forces, with calls for unity, equality and renewed commitment to reforms amid lingering political divides.
Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi described the accord as “a historic document” that not only halted hostilities but also laid the foundations for peace, equality and coexistence in the Balkan country. He urged that it be seen as more than a symbolic achievement.
“It is time for the Ohrid Agreement to be a practical standard of equality, representation and justice,” Gashi said. “We must move from minimal respect to its advancement, serving democratic development in line with our European aspirations.”
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, speaking at a government session, recalled the summer of 2001 as a “difficult period” and said the deal should remind citizens that peace and unity remain the state’s foundations. He criticised what he called the misuse of the agreement by politicians for personal benefit, while the population continued to decline.
“There is no Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish or Serbian future – only one shared Macedonian future for us all,” Mickoski said, urging citizens to choose “the state over division” and “the future over the past.”
First Deputy Prime Minister Izet Mexhiti called the deal “our new social contract,” which redefined state-building by embedding equality, inclusion and rights as inseparable parts of democratic functioning. “Government policies remain rooted in this spirit – to create a state that serves all citizens equally, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation,” he said.
Former guerrilla commander and Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) leader Ali Ahmeti, a signatory of the 2001 accord, said it had paved the way for NATO membership, the start of EU accession talks and stronger inter-ethnic and neighbourly relations.
“All achievements in the past 24 years were made together – with both VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM, and with our international friends,” Ahmeti said, adding that the gains were “the foundation of the country’s stability, security and future.”
The Ohrid Framework Agreement was signed on Aug. 13, 2001, with the mediation of the United States and the European Union, following months of clashes between ethnic Albanian fighters seeking greater rights and government forces. It mandated constitutional changes, expanded use of the Albanian language, fair representation in state bodies, and cultural rights.
The document was signed by then-President Boris Trajkovski, Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski, Social Democrat leader Branko Crvenkovski, Party for Democratic Prosperity head Imer Imeri and Democratic Party of Albanians leader Arben Xhaferi.
This year’s commemoration comes against a backdrop of political tensions between the ruling coalition and opposition over the pace of reforms, EU integration, and demographic challenges, with leaders warning against backsliding on the deal’s principles.