census would allow the Bulgarian community in the country to be counted. In 2011, Bulgaria's Finance Minister, who is responsible for relations with the Bulgarian diaspora, met with members of the Bulgarian community in Albania, announcing that a Bulgarian cultural center would be opened in Tirana On 15.02.2017 the EU parliament for the first time in its 2016 Annual Progress Report on Albania, called on the country to recognize the Bulgarian minority in the country. The official text of the report says: Notes that further efforts are needed to protect the rights of all minorities in Albania, through the full implementation of the relevant legislation; recommends that the rights of people with Bulgarian ethnicity in the Prespa, Gollobordë and Gora regions be enshrined in law and ensured in practice; On 12.10.2017 the Albanian parliament recognized by law the Bulgarian minority in Mala Prespa, Gollobordë and Gora. Macedonian organizations and activists deny the existence of local Bulgarians in Albania and present their Bulgarian self-determination as caused by a desire to obtain a Bulgarian passport. After Bulgaria's accession to the European Union, Bulgarians can travel visa-free to the EU. See also Macedonian Question Albania under the Bulgarian Empire Ballshi inscription Gorani (ethnic group) Macedonians of Albania Macedonians (Bulgarians) References and notes Ethnic groups in Albania Albania Albania