The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Katrougalos, met with representatives of the Greek National Minority (GNM) in Albania and, more specifically, yesterday, Monday, 20 May, with Vangelis Tavos, representing the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI), and Vangelis Dules, the leader of the Unity for Human Rights Party (KEAD), and today, Tuesday, 21 May, with Vassilis Kagios, the President of the ‘Democratic Union of the Greek Minority - OMONOIA’, who was accompanied by the Vice-President of the Union, Giorgos Tzomakas.
Discussions focused on the latest developments and issues concerning the Greek National Minority and the dialogue between Greece and Albania.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that Greece firmly supports the GNM’s demand for safeguarding the right of free self-identification of its members throughout the territory of Albania, without this depending on the incomplete and often unreliable — according to the Council of Europe — data of Albanian registries, a matter on which Albania has repeatedly received recommendations by international organisations and experts.
In the same context, particular emphasis was placed on the importance of 2020 population census, which must safeguard the right of free self-identification in practice. In this case, the need to avoid repeating the policy of the 2011 census, the conduct of which was criticised by the competent international organisations and the Council of Europe and the European Union, in particular, was underlined.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs also stressed Greece’s active support for the protection of the property rights of the Greek minority in Albania in accordance with European and international law. In this context and following the publication of recent decisions by the Albanian ministerial cabinet, Greece expects the swift and effective enabling of the members of the Greek minority to register their properties, which many have been unsuccessfully attempting for decades.
As regards education, the importance of implementing the policies agreed during the 5th Meeting of the Joint Committee of Experts for the examination of school textbooks (Athens, 20 March 2018) and, more specifically, the removal of unacceptable references in Albanian school textbooks, was underlined.
The need for the Albanian state to take the necessary actions for the timely publication of school textbooks for use by Greek minority pupils at Albanian state minority schools during the 2019-2020 school year was also expressed. Following the above, the Greek minority politicians highlighted the importance of opening one more Greek-Albanian school. The Minister of Foreign Affairs responded that he fully comprehends this need and that decisions have already been made for the Ministry to take action and initiate the relevant procedures, in cooperation with the Albanian Authorities.
The representatives of the GNM also referred to the need to boost economic activity in areas where its members traditionally reside. The Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that Interreg programmes already under examination provide the opportunity for cooperation between local government units in both countries which, if leveraged correctly, could create new jobs in Albania to benefit the local economy and community, which would certainly include the members of the Greek minority.
The issue of Local Elections in Albania in light of political developments in the country was also discussed. It was stressed that the recent decision of the Albanian Central Election Commission has no legal basis, and that the political representation of the Greek National Minority in the Local Elections in Himara must be ensured.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs once again made clear that respecting the rights of the Greek National Minority is directly linked to Albania’s European prospects, as it forms an integral part of the 5 Key Priorities for the opening of accession negotiations between Albania and the EU.
Finally, G. Katrougalos informed the individuals he met that, following arrangements with the Ministry of Labour, Social Insurance and Social Solidarity, a provision will be included in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs draft law under submission that will satisfy the request of our minority in Albania for its members to be exempted from the obligation of continuously residing in the country, in order to receive the social security benefit for uninsured elderly persons.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs once again repeated that Greece will continue to play a stabilising role in the Balkans and will strive for the continuous improvement of bilateral relations with Albania and all countries in the region, for the benefit of our peoples and the consolidation of peace.
May 21, 2019