Greece will support Albania in its long-standing effort to join the European Union, contingent on the respect for the rights of its ethnic Greek minority, stated Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The relationship between the two countries was strained after the arrest of ethnic Greek politician Fredis Beleris during a mayoral election campaign in His hometown of Himarë last year, resulting in his imprisonment on charges related to vote-buying.
Beleris was released this year after securing a seat in the European Parliament as a candidate for Mr. Mitsotakis’ conservative New Democracy party.
During the signing of an agreement for a new roadway connecting the northwestern Greek town of Ioannina to the Albanian village of Kakavija, Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized Greece’s commitment to maintaining positive relations with its Adriatic neighbor.
Mr. Mitsotakis addressed Albania’s EU accession ahead of an EU-Western Balkan summit.
“There exists a continuous path of conditionality towards the European Union where we effectively regulate the pace at which Albania progresses towards Europe,” Mr. Mitsotakis remarked before his journey to Brussels for the summit with EU and Western Balkan leaders.
Albania, along with Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, was promised EU membership several years ago and is currently engaged in discussions with the EU on how to expedite the requisite reforms that will facilitate their accession to the 27-nation bloc.
However, this process has encountered obstacles, primarily due to sluggish reform progress and a waning enthusiasm among current EU member states for further expansion.
In addition, following a meeting with Serbian counterpart Marko Djuric in Athens, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis expressed Greece’s backing for Serbia’s EU ambitions.
“Serbia’s accession to the European Union is a geopolitical necessity,” stated Mr. Gerapetritis.
