Vice President Iliana Iotova's visit to Albania began with a meeting with representatives of the Bulgarian national minority in the Golo Brdo region. Ms. Iotova assured them that they could always count on the support of the Bulgarian state. The Bulgarians appealed for a solution to the poor infrastructure in the area. The Vice President promised to raise this issue during her meetings with the authorities in Tirana.

The visit precedes Albania's census, which is being conducted for the first time since Tirana recognised Bulgarians as a minority. "The Bulgarian minority is the natural bridge between Bulgaria and Albania. A nation is stronger when it values the other ethnic communities with which it lives in the same country," the Vice President said.

Later, Iliana Iotova met with Albanian President Bajram Begaj and the two discussed the development of bilateral relations between Sofia and Tirana. The Bulgarian Vice President presented the head of state with the bronze sculpture "Victory" and the book "Bulgarians in Albania" by Spas Tashev, while President Begaj presented Iliana Iotova with a copper sculpture depicting the Albanian capital.

On the occasion of the upcoming population census in Albania, the Bulgarian Vice President stated that the process should be transparent and that all conditions should be provided to people so that they can freely indicate their origin and affiliation.

"For a successful path to joining the EU, it is extremely important to respect the rights of minorities, to ensure conditions for studying the mother tongue, to preserve traditions, customs and rights", Iliana Iotova also commented.