ABTTF President: EU member states must also respect minority rights and the rule of law
Habipoğlu emphasized that respect for minority rights and the rule of law should not only be upheld by EU candidate countries but also by current EU member states.
At the 2nd intergovernmental conference held on October 15, 2024, in Luxembourg, Albania opened its first chapters in negotiations for EU membership. Ahead of the conference, Gerapetritis stated that Albania's accession process must include provisions to protect the rights of ethnic minorities, including the Greek minority, in line with fundamental rights and the rule of law.
In response, Habipoğlu said, "We understand Greece’s sensitivity regarding the rights of the Greek minority in Albania, as it is natural for their homeland to advocate for them. However, when reading Minister Gerapetritis' statement, we are reminded of the systematic violations of the rights and freedoms of the Turkish community in Western Thrace, as well as Greece’s failure to implement European Court of Human Rights rulings for over 16 years concerning our three associations. This contradiction is striking! It is hypocritical for Greece to lecture other countries on these matters while neglecting to respect the rights of its own minority citizens. Minority rights and the rule of law should be fully respected by all EU countries, starting with Greece itself.”
