Tirana, 2 July 2024 (MIA) - In response to the series of reactions regarding the results of the 2023 population and household census in Albania, Director of the Albanian Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) Elsa Dhuli has claimed that the census process was conducted with full transparency and professionalism.

Dhuli took full responsibility for the accuracy of the 2023 census results. She emphasized that the census generated accurate population and household statistics, in accordance with the latest international guidelines and standards.

“The census provides updated information on the resident population of Albania and their geographic, demographic, economic, and educational characteristics, migration patterns, households, and housing conditions. We take full responsibility for the accuracy of the data collected by door-to-door enumerators,” Dhuli said, rejecting claims of manipulation.

She rejected the opposition’s claims that the delay in releasing the 2023 census results was a deliberate attempt to manipulate the outcomes.

“The final results were published in a record time of just seven months,” Dhuli stated.

The statistical operation took place from September 18 to October 30, with an extension in some rural areas extending the operation until November 15. The release of the results was originally set for June 19 but was delayed to June 28.

The 2023 census reports that the resident population of Albania is 2,402,113, which reflects a decrease of 420,000 from the 2011 census figures. In contrast, the opposition argues that the actual population does not exceed 1.4 million.

The census results regarding data on religious affiliation are not recognized by the party and associations of Macedonians and Greeks, who also reject the data on religious affiliation and believe that the orthodox population is larger than reported.

“The technical irregularities in the realization of the Census which the Macedonian associations in the Republic of Albania continuously highlighted ahead of the Census, as well as during its realization resulted in the publishing of preliminary results which unfortunately don’t appropriately reflect the actual number of ethnic Macedonians in the country. Additionally, the Ministry expresses dissatisfaction and strongly reacts to the use of the term ‘northmacedonians’ and the use of the name of a country as a substitute for an ethnic community,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia said in the press release on June 29.

The Ministry also said it would summon Ambassador Dancho Markovski for urgent consultations aimed at specifying the failings and inconsistencies of the process, reviewing the opportunities for appropriate correction of the shortcomings and identifying the most appropriate ways for further joint action and promotion of bilateral relations with the Republic of Albania.

“In the coming period the Ministry will intensively cooperate with the relevant representatives of the authorities in the Republic of Albania and the representatives of the Macedonian community in the Republic of Albania in the direction of their cultural and social promotion within Albanian society, which unfortunately and more than evidently has been completely ignored by the previous Government in our country. All open issues between two neighboring states should be solved through dialogue and mutual understanding and respect for the rules, principles and values of the international legal order,” the MFA said.