A question was submitted to the European Commission by the MEP of the European People’s Party and the New Democracy, member of the European Parliament’s Delegation for the EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee, Mr. Fredis Beleris, on the occasion of Albania’s plans to establish a sovereign, Muslim religious state in Tirana, which the Prime Minister of the country, Edi Rama, announced on Sunday (22.09) from the floor of the UN General Assembly.

Mr. Beleris underlines in his question that “the autonomous and independent state will be called the “Sovereign State of the Bektasi Order”, adding that “it will have its own diplomatic documents, borders, but also a separate administrative structure”.

Following this, the MEP of the EPP and the ND asks the Commission whether the creation of this state violates the agreed on Albania’s accession path and the diplomatic actions that the Commission will take, in order to ensure the peaceful coexistence of all religious communities in the neighboring country.

Here is the full text of the question:

Albania’s plans to establish a sovereign Muslim religious state in Tirana were announced on Sunday 22.09.2024 from the floor of the UN General Assembly by the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.
According to what has become known so far, the autonomous and independent state will be called the “Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order”, while it will have its own diplomatic documents, borders, and a separate administrative structure. Only Shiite Muslims, members of the Sufi religious community, will be naturalized in the new state (within the Albanian state).

The Commission is asked:

1) What is the Commission’s position on this potentially newly formed state and if its creation violates the agreed terms for Albania’s accession process? If so, what additional criteria can be set?
2) Is the creation of such a state without elections in line with the Copenhagen political criteria that every country must meet for the functioning of institutions that ensure democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the respect and protection of minorities?
3) What diplomatic moves does the Commission intend to make in order to ensure the peaceful coexistence of all religious communities in Albania?