WRITTEN QUESTION E-1937/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 July 2002)

Subject: Greeks of Albania

Commissioner Patten's answer to my question No E-1135/02(1) contains the bizarre information that the Greek minority numbers only 50 000, when it is well known that this is not the case as entire regions and towns in southern Albania are inhabited by a purely Greek population. The same answer also refers to preparations for an Observatory for inter-ethnic relations and the fact that Community funding for the projects carried out in Albania was also approved by the Greek Government.

On what statistics does the Commissioner base his assertion that the Greek minority numbers only 50 000? Who will finance the Observatory and will its objective be to protect the hundreds of thousands belonging to the Greek minority in Albania? Does the Commission know of any international conventions (which the Albania authorities have also signed) which recognise an autonomous regime in southern Albania? Exactly which Community-funded projects has the Greek Government also approved?

(1) OJ C 110 E, 8.5.2003, p. 12.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(9 September 2002)

At present, there are not up-to-date data on the size of minorities in Albania. The most recent official Albanian statistics set the size of the Greek minority at around 50 000. The Commission is aware that this figure is controversial. The Council and the Commission have jointly invited Albania to provide accurate data on the size of minorities before the end of 2003. The Albanian Government has expressed its commitment to meet this requirement.

The Community supports, with a Tirana-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), the activities of the Socio-economic Observatory of Inter-Ethnic Relationships in Southern Albania in Gjirokastra. This observatory aims to become a permanent actor in the field of the inter-ethnic relations in the region, with the objective of monitoring the respect of minority rights, promoting the participation of minority organisations in the social and political life of the country and contributing to smooth inter-ethnic relations. The observatory's activities are expected to benefit all minorities in Albania, including the Greek one. In this context, the Commission would also like to recall that, in the course of contacts with Albania in the framework of the EU/Albania Consultative Task Force, the Albanian government has undertaken to step up its efforts so that minority rights are respected throughout the country and to ensure that no limitation is applied on the exercise of minority rights based on geographical criteria.

The Commission is not aware of international commitments undertaken by Albania and which would imply an autonomous regime for its southern regions. On the other hand, there is every indication that there is a considerable participation of the Greek minority in Albania's social, economic and political life, notably in that part of the country.

As already indicated in the Commission's reply to the Honourable Member's written question E-1135/02(1), Greece participates as all other Member States in the committee responsible for the allocation and management of Community assistance to the Western Balkans. It gives, therefore, its opinion on every assistance programme proposed for the countries of the region, including Albania.

(1) OJ C 110 E, 8.5.2003, p. 12.