Athens angry over Himara demolitions

The Greek Foreign Ministry Thursday condemned a decision by Tirana to allow the demolition of homes belonging to ethnic Greeks in Himara.

The move appears to be an attempt to distract Albanian public opinion from a scandal implicating a former minister in drug crimes, the Greek ministry said.

"The Albanian government continues to promote measures for the demolition of property belonging to members of the Greek National Minority, within the framework of its policy to uproot the historical presence of Hellenism in the region of Himara," the ministry said.

It added that the move could be seen as "an act aimed at distracting Albanian public opinion from the major political issue that has arisen with drug trafficking."