The exhumation of Greek soldiers buried in Albania in 1940-41 begins

The Foreign Ministry, welcoming the response of the Albanian government to this historic Greek request, is pleased to observe the issues agreed on, in Crete, last November.

"Today, an important step is taken to finally rest the souls of the Greek soldiers of the Greek-Italian war of 1940-41. The last unaccountable dead of the Second World War," the Foreign Ministry's announcement said.

This step to resolve the ongoing issue of cemeteries for Greek troops was one of the issues discussed and agreed in Crete between the two Foreign Ministers Nikos Kotzia and Dimirim Bousati in the consultations between the two ministries, Kotzia and aiming at resolving the differences between the two countries. This lawful request by the Greek side, which has been pending for so many years, is now being implemented by the Albanian government, based on what the Greek Foreign Minister negotiated in Crete, including the adoption of the necessary implementing laws and a specific timetable.

"We welcome", the Foreign Ministry says, "the response of the Albanian government to this historical demand, proving that dialogue and cooperation in a constructive and unyielding spirit can lead to the resolution of disputes and the creation of positive prospects for the relations between the countries of our region and their peoples ".

Finally, as the announcement notes, "the Foreign Ministry will continue to work responsibly and seriously to safeguard our national interests by cultivating good neighborly norms and terms of dialogue, building on the common European future that we deserve in our region" .