TIRANA, Nov. 3 – Relations between Albania and Greece deteriorated this week, with both countries caught in a spat over Athens’ definition as ethnic Greeks for the residents of Albania’s southwestern town of Himara and a response by Albania’s prime minister on Facebook.
Both countries’ foreign ministries have summoned each other’s ambassadors to show their displeasure with the situation, which started with the implementation of an urban development project in Himara, that includes the demolition of several homes Athens says belong to ethnic Greeks.
The Greek Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned the Albanian ambassador to Athens, Dashnor Dervishi, to give explanations over a statement by Prime Minister Edi Rama on his personal Facebook page that while Himara used Greek as a language due to its history of trade with Greek islands, the inhabitants are ethnic Albanians.
Rama also published an engraving depicting Athens in 1670, and noted: “If the Acropolis still stands for the glory of humanity and civilization, this is thanks to the vision of the Albanian Archbishop of Athens Gjergj Dushmani, who in 1686 negotiated with Francesco Morosini of the Venetian fleet not to bombard the city … Such a story of a city that was once, according to the evidence and historians, mainly Albanian-speaking does not make it absolutely an Albanian city. Likewise, even though Himara experienced the Greek archipelago and the Greek language as the ‘common tongue’ of the East through maritime exchanges and a close and fruitful coexistence, this absolutely does not make it a Greek province.”
The diplomatic spat between the two countries erupted over a decision to demolish 19 homes as part of an urban revitalization project in Himara that Athens says belong to members of the Greek ethnic minority. Tirana sees Himara residents as Greek-speaking ethnic Albanians.
Foreign ministry protests interference into internal affairs
Albania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed claims of discrimination with respect to the law and said that the legal procedures followed by the Himara municipal authorities to demolish the homes were all “transparent and in accordance with current legislation.”
“The legal procedures being employed by the Municipality of Himara, which are centered on the town’s transformation into a European tourism destination, are transparent and in accordance with current laws,” the Albanian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Albania’s foreign ministry has protested what it sees as Greece’s interference into Albania’s internal affairs.
Greek politicians call for ‘drastic measures’
Several political representatives in Athens have called for an urgent meeting of the High Council of Foreign Policy to discuss Rama’s statements and present a unified stance in “protection of the Greek ethnic minority in Himara.”
Some MPs, including the former foreign minister, Dora Bakoyannis have called on Greek government to approve drastic measures to not allow an advancement of Rama’s administration towards bilateral relations with Greece.
Urban development project started spat
Tensions between Albania and Greece have heightened following the implementation of an urban plan project in the historic area of Spile, in Himara, southern Albania.
The project, approved by the National Inspectorate for the Protection of Territory, includes plans for the demolition of 19 buildings in the center of Himara.
Citizens that have been affected by the plan, claim that they are being robbed of their properties, while municipality officials insist that the majority of these buildings are “old and uninhabited.”
The citizens were given a deadline of five days to evacuate their homes, which will be demolished.
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press statement expressing concern about the fate of Greek minorities it says are affected by the plan.
“It is unacceptable that … [the Himara mayor], while executing a government policy, put his signature on notices for imminent demolition of residences, which were then handed to the owners on the very day of our National Day,” the press release read.
Athens officials called on Albanian authorities “to cancel the demolition order and to launch meaningful consultations with the owners concerning Himara’s redevelopment plans.”
“The protection of property rights, and in particular of minority rights, is an integral part of the five conditions set by the European Union in order to start negotiations for the accession of Albania to the EU. Therefore, if Albania sincerely wishes to join the European Union, it should demonstrate in practice that it functions according to the principles of the rule of law, protecting the rights of all its residents regardless of their nationality and origin, against abuses and illegal acts,” the press release read.
In its statement the Ministry underlines also said that it is continuously monitoring the situation, “always standing at the side of our Diaspora, and has raised the issue with the competent Albanian authorities, the competent international organizations and representatives of the international community at the highest levels.”
