Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000281/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza (ECR)
In 2023, Albania conducted a census for which it received EUR 4.8 million from the European Commission.
Both the 2023 census and the 2011 one saw multiple misrepresentations and a lack of transparency. They drew criticisms and protests from national minority organisations because the Aromanian minority had been estimated at 139 065 people in 2002 by the Centre for Geographical Studies of the Albanian Academy of Sciences and the German Academic Exchange Service, yet the censuses put the figure at just 8 266 people (2011) and 2 459 people (2023).
On 26 December 2024, the Albanian Council of Ministers adopted, for corrective purposes, Decision No 843 to establish the criteria, documentation and procedures for collecting data in order to identify persons belonging to national minorities.
- 1.What was the Commission’s position on the lack of transparency of the 2023 census and its dubious results and was this position communicated to the Albanian authorities or not?
- 2.What concrete steps does the Commission intend to take in the political dialogue and the process of negotiation with Albania in order to bring the 2023 census figures into line with the reality on the ground, in terms of the number of people belonging to national minorities?
Submitted: 22.1.2025