Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently spoke about relations with Albania and Tirana’s journey towards the European Union, linking the country’s European perspective with respect for the rights of the Greek minority and the property issue.
During the traditional press conference within the framework of the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair, Mitsotakis was asked about relations between Athens and Tirana, as well as the issues that Greece raises regarding the properties and rights of the Greek minority in Albania.
The head of the Greek government stated that Athens continues to support the European perspective of the Western Balkans, but underlined that each candidate country will be assessed separately, based on the progress made.
“The progress that has been made in registering properties and protecting all rights is not sufficient. Rest assured that, at the right time, we will exercise our rights to ensure that minority rights are fully protected,” Mitsotakis declared.
The Greek Prime Minister also emphasized that these issues should not be seen only within the framework of bilateral relations between Greece and Albania, but also in relation to the obligations arising from the European integration process.
According to him, the negotiation process with the European Union requires respect for European standards, while the opening and closing of negotiation chapters is also related to the position and approval of member states.
Meanwhile, speaking about North Macedonia, Mitsotakis took an even harsher stance, stating that, according to him, there has been essentially no progress in Skopje’s European negotiations.
“We are at a much earlier stage compared to Albania,” said the Greek Prime Minister, thus making a clear distinction between the progress of the two countries on the path towards membership in the European Union.