Albania - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Edmond Haxhinasto received a delegation from the Council of Europe

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Edmond Haxhinasto received today a delegation from the Council of Europe, members of the Advisory Committee of Framework Convention for the Protection of Minorities.

At this meeting Mr. Haxhinasto stressed that Albania is an excellent example of respect for minorities, religions, ethnicities in the region and beyond. Following Mr.Haxhinasto underlined that the respect for minorities is a fundamental issue of the Interior and Foreign policy of Albania.

On their turn, members of the Advisory Committee of Framework Convention on minorities expressed that they were impressed by the achievements of Albania in the treatment and respect for minorities.

In the context of the issue of population census to be conducted in early October, Mr. Haxhinasto said that the census is in full compliance with the European standards and offers a guarantee against any manipulation.

The delegation of the Advisory Committee, composed of Mrs.. Sanders Marajke Ten Holt (from Holland), Barbara Wilson (from Switzerland) and Christoph Zyma (by the CoE Secretariat). These experts are in Tirana to examine the latest national report for the minority prepared by the Albanian State, submitted to CoE in January 2011.