Once again, Greece has emerged as an obstacle to Albania’s rightful path toward European Union membership, repeating the same manipulative tactics it used against North Macedonia. Despite Albania’s unwavering commitment to democratic reforms and its exemplary treatment of the Greek minority within its borders, Athens continues to impose unreasonable conditions, exposing a long-standing agenda that reeks of irredentist ambitions.
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| Kyriakos Mitsotakis |
Greece’s demands for the protection of the Greek minority in Albania are nothing more than a facade. The reality is that the Greek minority in Albania enjoys extensive rights, often surpassing those of the majority population in some areas. Yet, the Greek government shamelessly exploits this narrative, aiming to assert influence over Himara and other parts of southern Albania through underhanded tactics. A glaring example of this is the case of Fredi Beleri, who was caught red-handed engaging in vote-buying during the mayoral elections. Despite the overwhelming evidence and his conviction, Beleri was hailed as a hero and elevated to the European Parliament by none other than Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
This brazen act of rewarding criminal behavior underscores Greece’s true intentions: to destabilize Albania and lay the groundwork for its “Greater Greece” project. The so-called “Northern Epirus” narrative, propagated by nationalist circles in Greece, is a clear indication of their desire to annex Albanian territory. Their strategy mirrors Russia’s actions in Crimea, as they aim to create a corridor of influence stretching from the Greek border to Himara, manipulating local politics and demographics to achieve their goals.
Such actions are not only an affront to Albania’s sovereignty but also a direct challenge to European principles of democracy and fairness. While Albania continues to progress on its EU accession journey, signing significant agreements like the recent partnership on security and defense with the EU, Greece seeks to undermine these efforts with baseless claims and political blackmail.
The parallels between Greece’s treatment of Albania and its historic obstruction of North Macedonia’s EU aspirations are undeniable. Athens held Skopje hostage for decades, demanding a humiliating name change before it would lift its veto. Now, it employs similar tactics with Albania, leveraging its position within the EU to push a nationalist agenda.
The irony of Greece positioning itself as a gatekeeper of European values while undermining its neighbors for selfish gains cannot be overstated. It is high time for the EU to address Greece’s obstructive behavior and ensure that the integration process remains free from the toxic influence of nationalistic agendas.
Albania has demonstrated its commitment to European ideals through concrete reforms, unwavering dedication to regional stability, and respect for minority rights. It deserves to be judged on its merits, not held back by the cynical maneuvers of a neighboring country seeking to rewrite history and redraw borders in its favor.