Joint statement by the Heads of Mission of the EU, NATO, OSCE and the United States in Skopje

SKOPJE, 28 January 2010 - The Skopje Missions of the EU, NATO, OSCE and the U.S. issued the following statement today: 

"We believe that instruction in the state language in non-majority community areas should start early, with the goal that all citizens speak the state language fluently upon completion of their studies, taking into consideration the recommendations of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities. Proficiency in the state language, among other measures, will help to promote integration of the different communities, and is indispensable to all citizens, as they seek better educational and employment opportunities later in life. We feel that this is also an opportune moment for the authorities to encourage wider optional instruction of Albanian and other non-majority languages.

It is critical that the government prepare the gradual implementation carefully by working together with all communities and stakeholders at national and local level - especially teachers and parents - in order to ensure that changes in the curriculum are carried out in a spirit of mutual understanding and consensus. Decisions on precisely when and how the state language is to be introduced should be a subject for such a discussion. Such planning and care are particularly important to ensure the key provision in the Ohrid Framework Agreement that educational standards be uniform for all students. Necessary resources must be made available before the policy can be properly put into effect. We would hope discussion on this matter would proceed in a rational, tolerant manner."