Gerapetritis: First chapter of accession talks with Albania must include the rights of minorities

The first chapter of accession talks with Albania, which begins on Tuesday and concerns fundamental rights and the rule of law, must include both the rights of minorities, including the Greek ethnic minority

The first chapter of accession talks with Albania, which begins on Tuesday and concerns fundamental rights and the rule of law, must include both the rights of minorities, including the Greek ethnic minority, and in particular their property rights, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis stressed upon his arrival at the intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg. Gerapetritis noted that “this position is now a common position, a documented common position of the 27 Member States of the European Union.”

“Greece will closely follow this process and will intervene where necessary, with the hope that the other Western Balkan member states will follow this course,” he added.

In particular, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis stated:

“Today is a milestone in the development of the European course of the Western Balkan member states. A course that began 21 years ago, with Greece as the pioneer and leader, with the Thessaloniki agenda. Greece has maintained a constructive attitude in Albania’s accession process, despite the crisis in Euro-Albanian relations over the last 18 months. Our position is that the first set of chapters, which is being opened today and concerns fundamental rights and the rule of law, should include both the rights of minorities, including the Greek ethnic minority, and in particular their property rights. Indeed, this position is now a common position, a documented common position of the 27 Member States of the European Union. Greece will follow this process closely and will intervene where necessary, with the hope that the other Member States of the Western Balkans will follow this course. At a time which is extremely volatile and unstable in our wider region, it is absolutely crucial that the European Union, the European family, deepens, grows and becomes stronger.”