Foreign Minister Bushati introduced draft-law for minorities

26/09/2017 00:00

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati, presented
this Tuesday at the Commission of Laws a draft law for protecting
Albania’s minorities.

The law declares as national minorities the Greek, Macedonian, Vlach, Romanina, Egyptian, Montenegrin, Bosnian and Serbian minorities.

“The listing of minorities takes in consideration their self-declarations, as subject elements; and the objective element, which is about the characteristics of minorities, reports of institutions which have documents on individuals. The role of the Interior Ministry is essential on this”, Minister Bushati declared.

“This draft law was an early request of the Council of Europe, since 2007. As such, it is according the European principles. These institutions have been part of the drafting of this law, but there were consults as well with organizations which defend minority rights”, he added.

“Certainly, the law doesn’t cover everything the association have said. I can make available their requests and our arguments for reference. In most of the cases, associations oppose each other. Some want more privileged positions, which goes against Albania’s international commitments and our constitution”, the Foreign Minister said.

The draft law was voted unanimously in this commission, and it foresees increasing the rights of minorities in Albania, to the point that municipalities where 20% of the population are minorities, they will be allowed to use their language in road signs and institutions.

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