How the Albanian President's visit to Presheva and Bujanovac turned into a narrative of "invasion" and "Greater Albania"

The visit of the President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, to the municipalities of Preševo ​​and Bujanovac has caused numerous reactions in public opinion. While some media and institutions reported on an official diplomatic visit and meetings with local representatives, some political actors in Serbia and social media users exploited this event to spread allegations of an “illegal entry”, “armed escort”, “expansion of Greater Albania” and “endangerment of Serbia’s sovereignty”.

Analysis of social media posts shows that actual photographs and statements from the visit were used out of context, with the aim of creating an alarmist narrative.

The presence of security services, state symbols, and citizens has been presented as an alleged security incident, although the available facts do not support these claims.

facts

The President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, paid an official visit to Presheva and Bujanovac, where he met with local representatives and representatives of the Albanian community.

Regional media reported on the visit, emphasizing that Begaj held meetings with local political representatives and discussed issues of interest to the Albanian community in the Presheva Valley.

Official information about the activities of the President of Albania was also published by the Albanian Embassy in Serbia.

https://ambasadat.gov.al/serbia/en/newsroom/presidenti-i-republikes-se-shqiperise-shtz-bajram-begaj-priti-ne-takim-kryetaren-e-komunes-se-presheves-znj-

There is no evidence that the visit was a covert operation, unauthorized entry, or any activity directed against the territorial integrity of Serbia.

According to the publication of the "Mehmet Jusufi" City Library in Presheva, the visit of the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, was linked to the opening of the Second Albanian Book Fair, a cultural activity with the motto "Book and Tradition".

The publication states that representatives of institutions, publishers, writers, artists and visitors participated in this event, while the aim of the event was to promote books, culture and reading in the Albanian language.

The organizers presented the event as a cultural gathering dedicated to literature, art, and the preservation of the linguistic and cultural identity of the Albanian community. The very nature of this event does not constitute evidence of any plan to change the territorial status of Serbia.

Official information about the visit of the President of Albania relates to cultural activities, meetings with local representatives and discussions on the position of the Albanian community in the Presheva Valley, and not to any territorial changes.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17rLEYVuNJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Context of the statement on the “Albanian world”: Identity is not the same as changing borders

One of the most misused statements after the visit was the message from the Mayor of Presheva, Ardita Sinani, that the arrival of the President of Albania was "a powerful message that Presheva and the Presheva Valley are an inseparable part of the Albanian world."

Several Serbian portals and social media profiles presented this statement as evidence of Albania's territorial claims and as a step towards the creation of "Greater Albania".

Denial:

However, the expression "Albanian world" in Albanian political and cultural discourse is most often used to describe the spaces of cultural, linguistic and historical connections of Albanians living in different countries.

For some Albanian political representatives and intellectuals, this term signifies the common identity and cultural ties of Albanians in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, the Presevo Valley, and other areas where the Albanian community lives.

The use of this term itself does not constitute evidence of the existence of a plan to change internationally recognized borders.

In the statement of the Mayor of Presheva, Ardeta Sinani, after the meeting with the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, topics such as the position of the Albanian community in the Presheva Valley, education, infrastructure and citizens' rights are mentioned, while the expression "Albanian world" is used in the context of identity and institutional attention, not as a warning about changing borders.

https://www.facebook.com/ardita.sinani/posts

The declaration does not contain calls for border changes or territorial demands, but rather a political message of support and connection with the Albanian community.

Manipulation 1: “Albanian security is walking around Serbia with long guns”

Several social media accounts published photos of convoys of black vehicles, claiming that they were "armed Albanians entering Serbia without control."

Denial:

This claim represents a misinterpretation of standard security protocol.

During visits by heads of state and senior state officials, it is common practice to have security teams, official vehicles, and protective convoys.

The organization of visits by foreign officials is carried out through the diplomatic and institutional procedures of the host country.

The organization of visits of high-ranking foreign officials to the Republic of Serbia is carried out through diplomatic and institutional procedures. The Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia participates in the preparation and implementation of official visits of foreign ministers and other high-ranking officials to Serbia.

https://www.mfa.gov.rs/lat/ministarstvo/diplomatski-protokol/o-protokolu

Security escort photographs, in and of themselves, do not constitute evidence of illegal entry, security risk, or violation of sovereignty.

Manipulation 2: “Greater Albania is expanding into central Serbia”

Several right-wing profiles and pages on social media used photos of children in traditional clothing and Albanian flags, claiming that the visit was evidence of the "expansion of Greater Albania."

Denial:

Such claims represent a misuse of cultural and national symbols.

The presence of national flags, traditional clothing, or community symbols at a public event does not constitute evidence of a political plan to change borders.

Official information about the visit relates to meetings with local representatives and issues related to the position of the Albanian community, and not to territorial changes.

Embassy of Albania in Serbia – activities of President Bajram Begaj

Manipulation 3: Vehicles with Albanian license plates were presented as an "invasion"

Photos of vehicles with Albanian license plates were shared on social media, claiming a "massive entry" and "invasion."

Disclaimer:

The presence of vehicles with Albanian license plates during the visit of the President of Albania does not constitute evidence of illegal entry or a security threat.

State delegations, journalists, guests and citizens may travel between states in accordance with applicable procedures.

A photograph of a vehicle cannot confirm claims of “occupation” nor be presented as evidence of a political or security incident.

cONcluSiON

The visit of the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, to Presheva and Bujanovac was not an "illegal entry", an "invasion" nor evidence of a border change.

The analysis shows that some media outlets, political actors, and social media accounts used real photographs and statements, but presented them through inaccurate and disinformation narratives.

The diplomatic visit was presented through disinformation narratives as a security incident, standard defense protocol as a threat, and cultural and identity symbols as evidence of territorial ambitions.

There are no verifiable facts regarding the claims of border changes or "expansion of Greater Albania" in connection with this visit.

/The Geopost/