Sept 15, 2023. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
Vice
President Iliana Iotova discussed with representatives of the local authorities
the opportunities for expanding the study of Bulgarian language and cooperation
between Bulgarian and Albanian universities, the press centre of the head of
State said on Thursday.
“You can always count on my support and the support of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and the Bulgarian state,” Vice President Iotova assured the representatives of the Bulgarian national minority from the region of the Albanian district of Golo Berdo.
In the
village of Golemi Ostrani, the Vice President was welcomed according to the old
Bulgarian custom - with bread and salt and folk songs and dances. Iotova is
visiting Albania on the eve of the national census - a very important moment
for the Bulgarian community.
This is the first census since its official
recognition in 2017, immediately after which the Vice President was the first
Bulgarian statesman to visit the Bulgarian minority.
Iliana Iotova committed to raise the issues raised by the community, the main one being infrastructure, at the upcoming top-level meetings in Tirana.
“The
Bulgarian minority is the natural bridge between Bulgaria and Albania. A nation
is stronger when it appreciates the other ethnic communities with which it
lives in one country," the Vice President said and thanked the local
authorities for their good attitude.
"Language
and culture bring people together," said the headmaster of the school in
the village of Golemi Ostrani, host of the talks with representatives of
Bulgarian associations.
"We
are indebted to the young people on the subject of education, we still have a
lot to achieve," Iotova stressed and noted the desire to open more
Bulgarian Sunday schools.
"Bulgaria
has always helped students from Albania to study in Bulgarian
universities," the mayor of the municipality of Bulchiza, Festime Miestri,
who is also a Bulgarian citizen, pointed out. She stressed that Bulgarians are
an example of a minority in Albanian society.
BTA
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