Albania–Greece relations
Is Albania’s Rama burning bridges with Greece in the Beleri case?
This week an Albanian court sentenced Fredi Beleri, the imprisoned mayor-elect of Himare, to 2 years in prison. Beleri slammed the trial and the court's decision as a "sham". This case is about much more than one individual, however, touching on deeper issues in Greek-Albanian relations.
Rama burns bridges with Beleri conviction
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's choice to cut ties with Athens was reflected by Tuesday's ruling of the Special Anti-Corruption Court in Albania sentencing the elected ethnic Greek mayor of Himare, a municipality in southern Albanis, Fredi Beleri, in the first instance, to two years in prison on charges of vote buying.
- Read more about Rama burns bridges with Beleri conviction
- Log in to post comments
Berlin, Athens, and the Beleri case
As EU leaders meet in Brussels this week, their focus is largely on Ukraine and its ties to the EU. In the buildup to the summit, however, the Western Balkans also caught their attention. This includes the case of Albania and the imprisoned mayor-elect of Himare Fredi Beleri, which has not only caused a rift in Greek-Albanian relations, but also between Athens and Berlin this week.
- Read more about Berlin, Athens, and the Beleri case
- Log in to post comments
Dendias says issue of German war reparations remains open
Greece's claims for World War II reparations from Germany remains "absolutely open" for the Greek government, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said on Wednesday.
Dendias was speaking from Kalavryta where he marked the 80th anniversary of the massacre during the Nazi occupation of Greece in World War II, representing the government.
“Shame on you, we have a dictatorship” – The Greek minority in Albania are angry after the court’s decision on Beleris (video)
Dozens of member of the ethnic Greek minority of Albania gathered outside the court that denied the mayor-elect to swear-in: “The court decision was orchestrated by Rama”
Greece and Albania at war, threat of veto arrived ​
Moreover, they also facing a big problem with minorities. Greece is now indirectly threatening to veto the beginning of Albania's accession negotiations to the European Union.
Altin Meshini is a successful producer of organic cheese in Prmet in southern Albania.
Euractiv: Greece Blocks Albania's Negotiations with the EU
The road to Albania's EU membership negotiations faces an unexpected halt due to Greece's recent action, reported EurActiv. Greece has wielded its influence within the Council of the EU to obstruct the opening of the initial five chapters necessary for Albania's EU membership negotiations to commence.
Rama says justice to rule on Beleri and that he treasures minority
The Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview on Greek state media ERT broadcasted on Wednesday discussing Greek-Albanian relations, and the detention of the elected ethnic Greek mayor of the Albanian region Himare, Fredi Beleri. Beleri was arrested by Albanian police special forces over charges of vote buying.
Greek-Albanian ties, Tirana’s EU bid, and the Fredi Beleri case
This week Albanian authorities finally moved to refer Fredi Beleri's case to trial. The ethnic Greek elected mayor of Himare has been in pre-trial detention for months, and as a result has been unable to take the oath of office.
PM raises ethnic Greek mayor’s arrest with Rama
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised the issue of the release of the ethnic Greek mayor of Himare, Fredi Beleri, during a meeting with his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama on Tuesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius.
- Read more about PM raises ethnic Greek mayor’s arrest with Rama
- Log in to post comments