Ethnic minorities in Albania that make up 20% or more of their municipalities of residence will be able to use their language in government offices.
The draft-decision prepared by the Albanian government stipulates that ethnic minorities must file a request with the municipality and the municipal council will rule on it within 60 days. The request must be signed by at least 1% of the ethnic minority population.
If the request is approved, the municipality will provide translations into the language of the requesting ethnic minority for:
- Ethnic minority legal rights
- Transparency program access
- Public consultation sessions
- Requests and complaints filed with the municipality
- Citizen initiatives.
Additionally, the municipality will install road signs translated into the ethnic minority’s language.
The draft-decision comes within the framework of the 15 conditions set out by the EU, which Albania must meet before it can hold the first intergovernmental conference. One of the conditions is the approval of bylaws on the Law on National Minorities.
