PM links Albania’s EU accession hopes to Beleri case
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated Greece’s position on Monday that Tirana’s aspirations to begin accession negotiations with the European Union hinge on the case of Fredi Beleri, the jailed ethnic-Greek mayor-elect of Himare in southern Albania.
Speaking from Tirana where he attended a meeting of EU and Western Balkan leaders, Mitsotakis said “the resolution of the issue is a necessary condition for Greece to take the next step and agree to start Albania’s negotiation process with the EU,” while he expressed hope that the problem will be resolved in a spirit of cooperation and goodwill, without affecting relations between the two states.
Mitsotakis noted that he respects the independence of the Albanian judiciary, but insisted that “Beleri has the right to be sworn in, even if he is in custody as mayor of Himare.”
“It is an inalienable right deriving from the Albanian constitutional order; a right that is also fully compatible with European principles of the rule of law. It is important that he be sworn in to remove this important shadow that undoubtedly affects Greek-Albanian relations,” he said.
The issue of Beleri’s swearing-in had been raised repeatedly by Athens to Tirana through various channels and at various levels, the latest being the effort of Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, who had the same conversation with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama a fortnight ago.
Mitsotakis’ presence in Tirana also demonstrated Athens’ leading role in the process of EU enlargement towards the Western Balkans.
“Greece firmly and steadfastly supports the Western Balkans’ accession prospects. We are firm supporters of the need for the Western Balkan countries to join the European family; we recognize that it is a difficult path that requires the countries to make significant adjustments to the European acquis,” the Greek PM said.
