Albania and Greece still at war – on paper at least

TIRANA, Oct. 11 – After more than two decades of democracy in Albania and when both countries are NATO members and Albania is trying to join Greece in the EU נthe neighboring countries are still at war – at least on paper – according to a WWII-era Greek law that has never been repealed.
Upon returning from the visit to neighbouring Greece, Foreign Minister Edmond Panariti spoke about the issues he had discussed with his Greek counterpart Dimitris Avramo-poulos. He acknowledged that the law was an issue in the agenda of the talks.
“That is not a new demand. That is an absurdity which I believe that the Greek side said is fully aware of that we have to do with a pure absurdity. As far as the two countries are NATO allies keeping such a law is beyond the times, a pure absurdity and I believe that Greek side will have to the will abrogate it,” he said.
The law was drafted and passed during the World War II after Italy attacked Greece from invaded Albanian territory. It was never repealed, even after the two countries signed in 1996 a friendship treaty.
“This is totally absurd,” said Albert Rakipi, head of Albanian Institute for International Studies. “The two countries have signed a treaty a friendship while at the same time Greece keeps a state of war law in the books. Albania is now a NATO member, a candidate for EU membership – but the law stays.”
He adds that two countries technically at a state of war are dealing with negotiations to mark their joint maritime border.
“This is laughable, and at the same time reflects a mentality that is not European,” says Mr. Rakipi. “Let’s also remember Greece approved this law in a historic context in which Albania could not be faulted as it was invaded itself at the time of Italian aggression on Greece.”
Mr. Rakipi said it is necessary to democratize the international relations of Albania and have a critical discussion about them. Relations with Greece should be those of good neighbors, but should also be based on historical truths, he added.
NATO and the international community needs to also look at this, he added, and Tirana should have pushed Athens harder to get rid of that law, because in Athens too, its top officials always refer to it as something of the past that has no relevance and importance at the moment.