Greece has pledged to back Albania’s bid for European Union membership, but stressed that the rights of the Greek minority in Albania must be respected.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the remarks ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit, emphasizing that Greece is committed to fostering stable and positive relations with Albania. He stated that Albania’s EU accession process is the best way to ensure the rights of the Greek minority are protected.
“The process of Albania’s EU membership is the best way to ensure that the claims of the Greek national minority will be realized. We are working in this direction,” Mitsotakis said.
Albania, he added, is well aware that Greece plays a key role in determining the pace at which the country progresses toward EU integration. Mitsotakis noted that as soon as Albania meets its obligations concerning both minority rights and property issues tied to the Greek community, Greece would continue to support Albania’s European aspirations.
Tensions between Athens and Tirana have risen recently following the arrest of Fredi Beleri, the mayor of Himara, on charges of vote-buying in Albania’s local elections on May 14. The incident has further strained relations between the two countries, with both sides expressing concerns over national minority rights and political interference.
