No MP representing the ethnic Albanian bloc within the Interparty Parliamentary Group Supporting the Crimea Platform attended Monday’s event in North Macedonia’s Parliament marking Ukraine’s Independence Day. Some did so due to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s statement in Belgrade, where he again said that Kyiv did not recognize Kosovo’s independence.
Parliament Speaker Gashi did not attend the session. Instead, the introductory address was delivered by Deputy Speaker Antonijo Miloshoski. It remains unclear whether it was an organized boycott by ethnic Albanian MPs or, as some of them stated, they are still using the summer recess period or had not been notified about the session.
Regarding VLEN, MPs Kaltrina Beqiri and Saranda Imeri Stafa were absent from the session. The ruling party said that while it supported the Ukrainian people’s cause for freedom and sovereignty, Zelenskyy’s remarks regarding Kosovo had left a bitter taste. Alliance for Albanians MP Rijad Shaqiri confirmed for Sloboden Pechat that he had deliberately boycotted the session.
On the other hand, DUI stated that its MPs that were part of the Group were on vacation and that there was no deliberate intent behind their absence from the session. Independent MP Ilir Demiri also denied that he had deliberately boycotted the session.