The "Beleri"/ Mitsotakis issue with "open cards" with Rama: He must know that there are rules for the European road

2024-05-29 17:04:00, Aktualitet CNA

The "Beleri"/ Mitsotakis issue with "open cards" with Rama:

Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis

The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, spoke on the Greek program "Morning Zone" of Tv Action 24, about the meeting of Prime Minister Edi Rama with immigrants in Athens a few days ago.

Asked about Rama's statements regarding the fact that Albanians had to change their identity when they immigrated to Greece, Mitsotakis admitted that the relations between the two countries are complex and that they should agree to live together.

Mentioning the case of Beler, Mitsotakis emphasized that the way Albania treated the elected mayor of Himara Municipality was completely unacceptable.

Asked if this will affect Greece's decision to block Albania's EU membership, Mitsotakis underlined that Albania should know that there are rules regarding its European path.

Respect for the rule of law, human rights and minorities is a central core of what Mitsotaki calls the European acquis, which Albania must respect.

"Our relationship with neighboring Albania is already complex. I have to say that the way Albania treated the elected mayor of Himara Municipality was completely unacceptable. He is now our candidate for MEP. We have two candidates from the ethnic Greek minority of Albania on the ballot.

Beyond that, I can say that we have hundreds of thousands of Albanians living and working in our country. Their children are Greek citizens, I believe we have joined, I would say harmoniously in Greek society, they go to school, they study.

I think that anything that poisons the relationship between the two peoples is not good for both of our peoples. We are neighbors, we are "condemned" to live together.

Beyond that, Albania should know, and the same applies not only to Albania, but also to North Macedonia, that there are rules regarding its European path. Respect for the rule of law, human rights and minorities is a central core of what we call the European acquis, which Albania must respect," Mitsotakis said.

Furthermore, Mitsotakis questions the fact that if Beleri is released, relations between the two neighboring countries could change.

"I believe that... Let's first see what will happen in the European elections. There is a possibility that this issue will be resolved by the Greek citizens themselves with the choice they will make for the MEPs in the next European Parliament", said Mitsotakis./ CNA