Vlachs in Albania demand their language to be official

Photo: Greek Orthodoxe Churche in Voskopolis, Albania

The Vlachs in Albania have demanded from the state authorities to introduce Vlach-language classes in schools and to make it the second official language in the municipalities where they are present.

Thanas Poci, the head of the Associations of the Vlach minority in Albania, said this at the annual assembly of the Associations that was held in Tirana."The right of education in mother tongue has to be respected and the authorities have to allow introduction of the Vlach as the second official language in the municipalities where there are inhabitants of Vlach nationality," Poci said.

Prior to this demand, the Greek minorities in Albania requested conducting a new census. Albanian PM Berisha said recently that his government is fully committed to observing of the minority rights. Some time ago, Berisha pledged to allow the respondents to declare their ethnic belonging at the next census.

Over 60% of 200.000 vllachs of Albania live in Greece Poci said. During the meeting was assisted the Charmain of UHRP Vangjelos Doules.