Tensions have escalated between official Prishtina and ethnic Albanian political forces in North Macedonia following remarks by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. In recent media appearances, Kurti appeared to categorize North Macedonian Albanians into factions while praising Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski for his perceived resistance against Belgrade.
Ali Ahmeti, the leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), characterized Kurti's stance as a "national concern." Ahmeti further interpreted Kurti's public support for the VLEN coalition as an endorsement of forces he claims are aligned with the interests of Belgrade and Moscow.
Political analyst Sefer Selimi, speaking on the Balkan Update program, suggested that this public friction is the culmination of long-standing personal and political tensions between Kurti and Ahmeti. Selimi expressed deep concern over the geopolitical trajectory of North Macedonia.
"The 'Serbian world' is entering and dominating North Macedonia," Selimi stated. He warned that Kurti’s current approach either displays significant political naivety or constitutes a deliberate manipulation, ignoring the reality that North Macedonia’s European integration remains blocked—a situation that primarily benefits Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
