President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”–Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj participated in the Schleswig-Holstein Dialogue on Strengthening Social Cohesion and Protecting Minority Rights in the Western Balkans
The Schleswig-Holstein – Western Balkans Dialogue, focused on strengthening social cohesion, inclusive governance, and the protection of national minority rights, was held at the Akademiezentrum Sankelmark in Oeversee, Federal Republic of Germany, from November 1 to 4, 2026.
The event brought together high-level representatives from Germany, Denmark, and countries of the Western Balkans—including Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia. The core themes of the dialogue centered on exchanging experiences, sharing best practices, and promoting international cooperation regarding the protection of minority rights.
The sole representative from the Republic of Albania was Nikolla Gjurgjaj, President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”–Tirana and a representative of the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania. His participation represented an important opportunity for the international recognition of the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania, as well as for representing its interests and perspectives in discussions regarding equality, inter-ethnic dialogue, and social cohesion.
Photo: The Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden”
High-level participants included Bekim Sali, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia; Agon Ferati, Minister for Inter-Community Relations of the Republic of Macedonia; Dirk Schroedter, Head of the State Chancellery and Minister for Digitalization of Schleswig-Holstein; Johannes Kalsen, Commissioner for National Minorities of Schleswig-Holstein; Nenad Rashić, Minister for Communities and Returns of the Republic of Kosovo; and Elbert Krasniqi, Minister of Local Government Administration of the Republic of Kosovo.
The dialogue showcased successful practices from the region, including the establishment of an Office of the Commissioner for National Minorities in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the creation of a platform for dialogue between the Municipality of Tetovo and Roma organizations. The Schleswig-Holstein – Western Balkans Dialogue was organized in cooperation with the Minority Competence Network of Schleswig-Holstein and Southern Denmark (MKN), implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), with the support of the State of Schleswig-Holstein.