On 13 August 2001, in Ohrid, the Ohrid Framework Agreement is signed — the peace deal ending the armed conflict in the Republic of Macedonia (now North Macedonia) between security forces and the Albanian National Liberation Army.

Signed by Macedonian and Albanian political parties under international mediation (EU and US), it provides for cessation of hostilities, voluntary disarmament of Albanian armed groups, devolution and minority-rights reforms.

A central provision makes any language spoken by over 20% of the population co-official at municipal level — a threshold met by Albanian — and requires constitutional adaptation.

The English-language version is the only authentic text. Key negotiators included François Léotard (EU) and James W. Pardew (US).

The agreement remains the consociational milestone of the post-2001 Macedonian civic state.

The text is published by the OSCE; context is documented in Balkan historiography.

The Ohrid Framework Agreement of 13 August 2001 remains the reference for peace in North Macedonia.

Image: Ohrid; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Ohrid Agreement (2001). Treaty text: OSCE — Framework Agreement (PDF).