Mitsotakis: “Relations with Albania and rights of the Greek National minority are our priority”

Greece
Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:09 GMT
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis underscored the importance of protecting the rights of the Greek National Minority in Albania during the signing ceremony for the Ioannina-Kakavia road project.
Mitsotakis: “Relations with Albania and rights of the Greek National minority are our priority”

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis underscored the importance of protecting the rights of the Greek National Minority in Albania during the signing ceremony for the Ioannina-Kakavia road project. He linked Albania's EU integration process to progress on minority rights and property issues, stating, “Albania's path to Europe depends on safeguarding the rights of the Greek National Minority.”

Mitsotakis described the Ioannina-Kakavia project as a strategic infrastructure endeavor aimed at strengthening regional development and fostering better relations with Albania. He referred to the project as a “bridge of friendship” between the two nations, signaling Greece’s commitment to investing in stable and robust bilateral ties.

The prime minister emphasized that Greece would support Albania's EU accession only if it fulfilled obligations related to minority rights and property protections. “The ability of the Greek National Minority to freely express its identity and secure its property rights remains a priority,” he stated.

Controversy over Greece’s Minority Policy
Mitsotakis’ statements drew criticism for being inconsistent with Greece’s domestic policy of denying the existence of national minorities within its borders. Minority groups in Greece, particularly the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, characterized his remarks as “hypocritical” and contradictory.

Türkiye and other critics questioned Greece’s double standards, with some asking, “Do Greece’s claims of sovereignty over minority issues lose validity when discussing its own national minority abroad?” This highlighted ongoing tensions over Greece’s treatment of its domestic minorities, including Turks and Macedonians, versus its advocacy for Greek minorities in neighboring countries.

Mitsotakis’ rhetoric comes amid continued disputes over Greece’s compliance with international human rights obligations regarding its minority populations, raising broader concerns about its stance on equality and reciprocity in the Balkans.

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