FM MESSAGE IN TIRANA ON THE OCCASION OF THE POPULATION CENSUS

"The Greek ethnic Community in Albania has the right of free of charge self-determination"

The reliability of the results of population census in Albania, in terms of minority groups, directly challenging the foreign minister Stavros Dimas, diaminyontas same time that the Respect for human and minority rights is …

crucial criterion for the progress of the accession method of our neighbor.

In a letter sent to the Home in response to a question from a Member of LA.OS K. Aivaliotis, Dimas says that “the foreign ministry has closely followed all the developments surrounding the census in Albania, even though produced timely plays, both bilateral and European level to make sure the integrity process and unimpeded registration of members of the Greek National Minority, and each location of residence of such ».

As outlined, the “Selection of the representatives of the main minority groups, including the Greek National Minority, invite their members to abstain in protest not guaranteed to respect the right of free of charge self-determination, showed a significant deficit of trust minority in the Albanian state, which ought to itself the Albanian government to address priority ».

This, says Minister of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction the allegations of irregularities in the conduct of the census’ has in fact a matter of credibility of the outcomes obtained by processing the data, the sizes of minority groups and locations where they reside ».

In the letter Mr. . Dimas, after recalls that “respect for human and minority rights in the EU is an crucial criterion for the progress of the integration procedure of Albania”, emphasizes that respecting the right of free self-determination, in conducting the census, has been characterized by European Commission in the latest progress report for Albania as critical.

conclusion, the foreign minister noted that Greece has invested more than time in constructing good relations with Albania and “will continue to do so, considering understood in this context, respect and protect the rights of the Greek minority, which is a bridge of friendship among the two countries».