Source: European Parliament
The Commission attaches great importance to protection of fundamental rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities and the principle of self-identification, and closely monitors the consolidation of these rights as part of the EU integration process of Albania.
In its 2024 report on Albania[1], the Commission called for implementing legislation to be adopted, in order to address issues of free self-identification of national minorities and the use of minority languages, in line with European standards.
The Commission noted the adoption in December 2024 of three by-laws related to free self-identification and on the use of languages of persons belonging to minorities.
The draft by-laws were consulted with relevant stakeholders and Council of Europe experts, including experts of the Advisory Committee of the framework Convention on National Minorities, who assessed the draft by-laws as compatible with European standards.
The Commission will continue to monitor the application of the legal framework in compliance with European standards and the principle of self-identification, as part of the accession commitments of Albania[2] alongside other competent international organisations, including the Council of Europe.