The issue of pre-trial detention of the elected mayor of Chimara, Freddy Belleri asks the European Commission, in the enlargement report for Albania. It is underlined that his pre-trial detention “raises serious concerns”.

In particular, the Commission reports that relations with Greece remained good overall, with continuous political contacts. The rights of the Greek minority, especially the property rights of the Greek minority, remain the subject of disputes in bilateral relations.

The pre-trial detention of a newly elected Greek mayor, who was arrested on the eve of local elections and whose trial began on September 14 on charges of vote-buying, has caused bilateral tensions and raises serious concerns, the Commission stresses.

His requests to be granted special leave to be sworn in have been denied and the Supreme Court is expected to discuss the assignment of the relevant appeal to a court, he adds.

At the same time, he notes that the Constitutional Court agreed in October to rule on the constitutionality of the criminal court proceedings after his arrest.

At the same time, the Commission reports that Albania has continued to make progress on reforms under the core group, including the continued implementation of the comprehensive justice reform, while Tirana is reported to have contributed to the management of mixed migration flows to the EU with cooperation towards the implementation of the EU action plan for the Western Balkans.

Albania also – the Commission points out – has fully aligned itself with the common and foreign security policy of the EU.