The definitive resolution of the property ownership status of Greek minority assets, as well as respect for their national identity, two issues arising from Albania’s administrative reform, were raised by the President of the Greek Parliament Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis with the President of the Albanian Parliament Mr. Niko Peleshi, as fundamental prerequisites for Greece to give the “green light” to the neighboring country’s EU accession process.
“These are two issues that the Greek Parliament will monitor closely,” he characteristically told his Albanian counterpart who is conducting an official visit to our country. He continued: “Your country’s path to Europe depends greatly on you as well. Because you must align your national law with European law, as all states that wanted to join the great European family have done.” He added: “Many of your compatriots here in Greece have acquired properties through their work, and the Greek state has recognized these. You understand that we expect similar behavior regarding the problems concerning the properties of the Greek national minority.”
Nikitas Kaklamanis: Expressed regret over recent events in Svernitsa
Meanwhile, the President of the Greek Parliament expressed his regret over the recent events in Svernitsa and pointed to parliamentary diplomacy as a path to better understanding between the two countries. “I hope that we as parliamentarians will be able to understand each other better than our governments perhaps can. Parliamentary diplomacy often brings better results.”
For his part, Mr. N. Peleshi warmly thanked Greece and the Greek Parliament for their continued support of Albania’s European path, while characterizing the Greek minority in Albania and specifically the Albanian immigrant community in Greece as “two very strong bridges.”
Referring to cooperation between the two sides, he noted: “We can further strengthen the Greek minority in Albania, and also express our gratitude for what has been done for the Albanian community in Greece. These are two invaluable assets for our two countries and, based on these, we want to build more prosperity, more economic exchanges and greater commercial progress in the future.”
The President of the Greek Parliament awarded Mr. N. Peleshi the Gold Medal of the Greek Parliament, with the Albanian counterpart reciprocating with a silver miniature of traditional dress from the neighboring country.
The meeting was attended, from the Greek parliamentary side, by the First Deputy President of Parliament Mr. Yannis Plakiotakis, the President of the Greece-Albania Parliamentary Friendship Group Mr. Efstathios Konstantinidis, and from the administrative side, the Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Vasileios Bayiokos and the Diplomatic Advisor to the President of Parliament Mr. Konstantinos Oikonomidis.
The Albanian Parliament President was accompanied at the meeting by members of the Greece-Albania Parliamentary Friendship Group, MPs Mr. Pirro Dhima, Mr. Ivi Kaso, Mr. Vangjel Dule and Mr. Llir Penjavinji. Also present were the chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development of Albania Mrs. Anila Denaj, as well as the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Greece Mrs. Luela Hajdaraga.
