Greece Raises Concerns About Detention of Ethnic Greek Politician in Albania, Impacting EU Bid
Foreign minister reiterates Albania’s accession to EU cannot progress 'when there is such disregard for rule of law'
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Greece announced on Tuesday that the ongoing detention of an ethnic Greek politician, accused of purchasing votes during the local elections held on May 14, will negatively impact Albania's efforts to join the European Union.
Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, speaking to the public broadcaster ERT, reiterated that Albania's progress toward EU membership is hindered by a lack of respect for the rule of law. He emphasized this point during discussions with EU officials, noting that the current tension is detrimental to both Albania and its EU aspirations.
Fredi Beleri, an ethnic Greek minority candidate who ran for mayor in Himare, an Albanian coastal city primarily inhabited by Greeks, was apprehended by the police on May 12. He faced allegations of attempting to buy votes ahead of the local elections, in which he eventually won and became the mayor.
This arrest strained the relationship between the capitals of Tirana and Athens. Gerapetritis criticized Beleri's pre-trial detention as unauthorized and argued that Albania's continued detainment of him while awaiting trial was counterproductive.
The Greek government officially protested to the Albanian Foreign Ministry against Beleri's detainment. Former Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis even issued a threat on May 15 to block Albania's EU membership process due to Beleri's arrest, emphasizing Greece's commitment to protecting the rights of ethnic minorities.
In response, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama accused Greece of interfering in the country's internal affairs.
In late May, NATO foreign ministers convened informally in Oslo, during which Greek Foreign Minister Vasilis Kaskarelis met his Albanian counterpart Olta Xhacka on the sidelines to discuss the situation and address the strained relations between Tirana and Athens.
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