EU PROGRES

The new offices of the Albanian National Minority Council were officially opened today in the so called ‘Committee Building’ in Bujanovac. Thereby resolving the issue of inadequate and temporary offices the Council has used since its establishment in June 2010. The Municipality of Bujanovac ceded the new National Council offices, while all the refurbishment was funded with the Council’s own funds. European Union and the Government of Switzerland furnished the offices with office furniture, computers and other equipment to the amount of € 10,000 through the European Partnership with Municipalities Programme – EU PROGRES.

Opening the new office enhanced the National Council's working conditions on promoting and advancing the national identity of the Albanian community, with the bulk of its population in South Serbia. The Office will enable Council members to develop institutional services in a professional and competent manner and implement the 2012-2016 Strategic Plan. The main goal of the Albanian National Minority Council is the advancement of the Albanian national minority’s position in the fields of information, culture, use of language and national symbols, education, science, youth and sport.

“The National Council plays a key role in the fields of culture, education, information and official use of language and alphabet. In Serbia – a country that is virtually a mosaic of cultural, religious and ethnic diversity – the Council plays an important role in supporting national authorities to provide proper care for their citizens. The Council also has an important role in nurturing cooperation with other minorities and the majority community” Marko Vujačič, EU PROGRES Deputy Manager, said.

Chairman of the Albanian National Minority Council, Galip Bećiri, especially thanked the EU and the Government of Switzerland for their donations in furniture and office equipment, which will enable higher quality of work of the Council.