3 minutes agoGreece reacts to opening Albania's first chapter of the EU: negotiations involving minority rights, monitoring the process
Periskopi(2 years ago)
(2 years ago)The Albanian government has opened negotiations for the first group of chapters today (October 15th 2024) aimed at the journey and membership of our country towards the European Union. At the Second Intergovernmental Conference with the EU, which was held today in Luxembourg, key EU exhibitors as well as Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama participated. Conference began at hour [...]
At the Second Intergovernmental Conference with the EU, which was held today in Luxembourg, key EU exhibitors as well as Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama participated.
The conference began at 8: 00 a.m., and Albania was represented at this conference by Prime Minister Rama, chief negotiator Majina Duka, and Foreign Affairs Minister Igli Hasani.
Regarding this important step towards Albania's journey towards the EU, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis reacted today from Luxembourg.
According to “Greece vetoed Albania for the EU, shortly after the release from prison of former Himara Mayor Frede Beleri, who was arrested in 2023 for selling votes.
The Greek foreign minister told reporters that Greece will closely follow this process and intervene where necessary, in the hope that other Western Balkan member states will also attend the course.
In his statement Gerapetritis did not leave out the rights of the Greek minority in Albania.
The Greek minister said Greece wants that in the first chapter group, which concerns fundamental rights and rule of law, it should include minority rights, including that of the ethnic Greek minority.
“Today is a historic moment in developing the European course of Western Balkan member states. A course that began 21 years ago with Greece as a pioneer and leader on the agenda of Thessalonica. Greece has taken a constructive stance on Albania's membership process... Our position is that the first group of chapters, which is being opened today and has to do with fundamental rights and the rule of law, should include minority rights, including that of the ethnic Greek minority, and in particular their property rights, now a common position, a common position of 27 European Union member states that other Western Balkan member states will follow this course at an extremely unstable time in our wider region, is absolutely essential for the European Union, the European family, to deepen, and to become stronger and stronger, the Greek Foreign Minister George Stratiss.
