FYROM President Vetoes Albanian Language Legislation

FYROM (Macedonian) President Gjorge Ivanov has vetoed legislation extending the official use of the Albanian language to the entire country, saying it could endanger Macedonia's unity and sovereignty.

Ivanov said on January 17 that the proposed law would introduce a "very expensive redundancy" in state institutions and make state administration dysfunctional.

He said that it would also threaten the "unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity" of Macedonia, "instead of building a multiethnic society through a spirit of dialogue and coexistence."

The draft law makes Albanian the country's second official language along with Macedonian.

The government regretted Ivanov's decision, saying that the bill was "in line with the constitution" and motivated by the "care for all citizens of Macedonia."

The proposed law passed in parliament on January 11 with...