TIRANA, June 28 /ATA/ – By Maela Marini/ The head of the European Union delegation in Tirana, Ambassador Silvio Gonzato on Friday underlined the importance of the population and housing census data, adding that they are essential for the European integration process.
During the presentation of the results of the Population and Housing Census 2023, Gonzato emphasized that the Census provides data on which policies are built and public services are provided.
“Census is also important in the context of EU accession talks. Accurate and reliable information is simply essential,” he said.
According to the ambassador, “Census data help the authorities to keep pace with the rapidly changing demographics of modern society”.
“The figures presented clearly show that this also applies to Albania. Albania and the region face very specific demographic challenges. It is important that reliable statistical information is made available. Accurate information serves the mechanisms set up to guarantee the rights of minorities and groups in need,” said Gonzato.
Census, according to him, is also quite important in the context of the negotiations for Albania’s EU accession.
“It is not by accident that in the EU accession negotiations, the chapter on statistics is included in the so-called fundamental clusters. Reliable statistical information is essential. The information in the EU from the national censuses determines the number of votes of the member states in the EU institutions and plays a role in the financial contributions that will be given”, he added.
The ambassador emphasized that the EU has been INSTAT’s partner in this process by supporting the Census.
“The results that are being presented today will be carefully analyzed by many actors, including us. The EU remains committed to its support for Albania, to further develop its statistical system. We are ready to participate in this policy discussion and in designing new measures that may be necessary as a result of the data,” he said.
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