site.btaUnited Patriots Tell Albanian Ambassador that Tirana Should Recognize Bulgarian Minority

Sofia, October 10 (BTA) - Members of the parliamentary group of the United Patriots have insisted that the Bulgarian community in Albania should be recognized officially by the Albanian authorities. They pressed their demand during a meeting with Albanian Ambassador to Sofia Qirjako Kureta in the Bulgarian National Assembly on Tuesday, the United Patriots reported in a press release.

The coalition's Yulian Angelov, Alexander Sidi, Boris Vangelov, Stanislav Stanilov and Peter Petrov told Ambassador Kureta that it is unacceptable to deny official recognition to the Bulgarian community in Albania, considering the centuries-old roots linking the Bulgarians to those parts.

The discussion focused on the tension surrounding the Bulgarian minority in Albania in connection with a proposed Albanian law on the recognition of minorities. The Bulgarian lawmakers updated the diplomat on their meetings with expatriates in Albania and the expatriates' protests against the bill.

The United Patriots representatives noted that the European Commission considers the matter a major factor for Albania's future in the EU. They were adamant that the recognition of the Bulgarian minority is essential for Bulgaria's good relations with Albania.

Ambassador Kureta vowed to urge the authorities in Tirana to solve the issue in Bulgaria's favour. He noted that all Bulgarian organizations in his country have notified the authorities about the tension and about the negative reactions of Bulgaria and other EU member states to the Albanian bill.

Albania has never treated the Bulgarians in its territory in a bad way, the diplomat said. He promised to become a guarantor for the adoption of legislative changes in favour of the Bulgarian community.