Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Bolaris received the President of the Union of Himariotes of Greece, Spyros Koutoulas and the President of “Omonoia”, the Democratic Union of the Greek Minority of Himara, Dionysios - Fredi Beleri.
The two Presidents referred to problems of discrimination against the rights of the Greek Ethnic Minority, as well as issues related to the protection of the property of Greeks in Albania. The Deputy Minister stressed the Five Key Priorities, in view of the conditionalities laid down by the E.U. General Affairs Council (decision 26/6/2018) which include, as major priorities, the implementation of the Framework Law on the protection of human rights and anti-discrimination policies and the effective protection of the property rights of Greek Nationals in Himara; such priorities are to be implemented by our neighbouring country, an adaptation that is expected to create a new momentum.
Talks extended to issues pertaining to the Minister’s portfolio, namely culture, sports, education and the Church, and to the organisation of cultural and fine arts events that promote the bilateral cooperation between Greece and Albania, both on a central level as well as in the areas where the Greek Minority lives.
The Deputy Minister concluded by saying that “the Greek Minority in Albania, which represents a historical and cultural presence of thousands of years is, and as such we must approach it, a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Issues of soft policy strengthen and promote this cooperation.”
January 28, 2019