By Penelope Galliou

The Greek government remains unmoved in its position, not to consent to the accession process of Albania, if there is no progress on the issue of the elected mayor of Chimara, Freddy Belleri. Position and intention which was also formulated during the E.E. Summit. – Western Balkans where, according to government sources, Greece’s firm position was reiterated to support the European perspective of the Western Balkans, as an investment in the stability, development and prosperity of the region, always under the condition that the candidate countries fulfill the conditions and implement the required reforms. The same sources explained that “it is a difficult and painful process that depends on the same performance of the candidate countries. And, in any case, a basic prerequisite is the respect of the fundamental European values ​​and the reforms concerning the rule of law and especially the protection of human rights, including the rights of minorities”.

In this light, Greece’s position regarding Albania’s accession process is clear and has been communicated to the Albanian side. “Greece will not consent to the accession process if there is no progress on the matter of the elected mayor of Heimarra Fredis Beleris”. According to the same sources, Greece has agreed to send the EU’s letter to Tirana for the first step of starting the negotiations, provided, however, that by the next stage of the process there will be a clear move for Freddy Beleris to take office and have his right to a fair trial respected, as well as the presumption of innocence. Otherwise, Greece is not going to consent to the next stages of the accession process, they explained. They even commented that the Beleris case is not a matter of judicial independence, but a purely political-administrative decision. Hence the Greek side does not ask for a court decision or intervene in justice, but focuses on giving the elected mayor of Chimaras permission to take the oath and be able to exercise his political rights.

Our country’s positions on EU enlargement will also be expressed during the Summit held today and tomorrow in Brussels, with the Greek Prime Minister reportedly expected to emphasize that Greece is in favor of enlargement as a strategic choice for the EU and as an investment in the future, under the known sectarianism.

Beyond Albania anyway, government sources clarify that Greece agrees with the proposal of the European Commission and supports the start of EU accession negotiations. with Ukraine and Moldovawhile he is in favor of granting candidate status to Georgia.

Moreover, during the meeting of European leaders and with regard to funding and the discussion on the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-27), Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pointed out that a solution cannot only include funding for Ukraine and has underlined the need to foresee in the European budget increased resources for Migration, which is such a critical issue that concerns the whole EU and especially for the frontline countries.

The Greek Prime Minister still claims enhanced resources to deal with natural disasters. Greece had initially supported the European Commission’s proposal for more funds in the European Solidarity Fund, pointing out that the resources available today are extremely limited, while Kyriakos Mitsotakis had taken an initiative in this direction both at the MED9 Summit last September, as well as at the October European Council with the initiative of a relevant letter to the European institutions, which was co-signed by other EU leaders.