The Macedonian community in Albania has requested the creation of two new municipalities in the country, namely Golloborda and Gora, arguing that the 2014 territorial division has left the areas without development and has unfairly merged them with large municipalities such as Bulqiza, or Librazhd and Kukës, failing to represent the interests of the minority.
Through a press release, it was the Macedonian Association "Ilinden" that requested the creation of the municipalities of Golloborda and Gora in the country.
"Ten years after the territorial division of 2014, the areas of Golloborda and Gora where the Macedonian National Minority lives have still remained underdeveloped. In 2014, the municipalities of Trebisht, Ostren and Stebleva in the Golloborda area were abolished, to join the Municipalities of Bulqizë and Librazhd, and the municipalities of Shishtavec and Zapot in the Gora area were joined to the Municipality of Kukës," the association's response states.
The Macedonian national minorities in the areas of Golloborda and Gora, according to the statement, consider the abolition of the municipalities as a step backwards in respecting the rights of minorities in the Republic of Albania.
The announcement continues:
"The Macedonian Association "Ilinden"-Tirana requests the Government to propose amendments to the Law on Local Self-Government to create two new Municipalities:
-Golloborda Municipality
-Gorë Municipality
The Macedonian Association Ilinden - Tirana believes that this democratic process will increase citizens' trust in the system and will enable more efficient resolution of problems in the areas of Golloborda and Gora.