Beleris on incidents in Albania: Greek properties are being encroached on to build the hotel

Greek MEP Frentis Beleris submitted a question to the European Commission regarding the allegations of violence, intimidation and violation of property rights against residents of the area, the majority of whom are Greek.

The issue has caused intense unrest in the local community, as residents are reacting to a tourism investment plan that a private company is promoting in an area of ​​the area.

According to the allegations, the company has proceeded to fence off part of the disputed area, despite the fact that the ownership status remains disputed and has not been fully clarified.

Beleris: “People are protesting because their property is being encroached upon”

Speaking to Greek news outlet iefimerida, Mr. Beleris described a situation that, as he claims, has led to a direct conflict between the residents and the company planning the investment.

“This is a village inhabited mainly by Vlachs, who are Greek citizens. A private company has fenced off the area with the aim of creating a tourist investment, but the property rights there have not been clarified,” he initially stated.

The residents claim that part of the land included in the investment plan belongs to local families, who have been demanding the recognition of their rights for years.

Their reaction, as they say, is not limited only to the planned business activity, but is directly linked to the issue of property. “People are protesting because their property, Greek and other local properties, are being encroached upon. At the same time, they are also directed against the government that gave the company permission to proceed with the investment,” the MEP notes.

According to him, the reactions are not limited to property issues. As he explained, a significant part of the local community also expresses concerns about the environmental impacts that the investment may have.

“There is also an environmental issue, as this is an area that is a protected habitat, a lagoon that is protected by special provisions,” he stressed.

The situation escalated when residents gathered to protest in the area where the fencing work has begun. According to the complaints, the company’s “bravos” who were at the scene clashed with the protesters, while a Greek expatriate was also injured.

“His life is not in danger”

According to Mr. Beleris, who spoke with him, his health is not currently in any danger. “This man lives in Athens and had gone there to defend his home and property. There was immediate mobilization on the Greek side to provide him with medical assistance. He was transferred to Ioannina to be examined by doctors and is now at his home in Athens. He is in good health.”

Mr. Beleris is determined to bring the matter to the European Parliament. In a question he tabled, he describes Svernets as an area inhabited mainly by members of the Greek National Minority and refers to complaints according to which a private company is intervening in lands and properties that were confiscated during the communist regime in the 1960s and have not yet been returned to their rightful owners.

The text of the question also makes specific reference to the incidents that occurred during the residents' protests. Mr. Beleris points out that incidents of violence and intimidation by individuals allegedly associated with the company have been recorded, while he underlines that these incidents occurred in the presence of police forces.

According to the MEP, the events reported in Svernets do not concern only a local dispute over land and property, but are linked to broader issues related to European values ​​and the obligations of a country seeking to join the European Union.

“These incidents raise serious questions regarding the respect for fundamental freedoms, property rights and the protection of recognized national minorities in a candidate country,” he says.

Through his question, he will ask the European Commission to clarify whether it has been informed of the allegations of violence and intimidation against residents of Svernets and whether it intends to request explanations from the Albanian authorities on the safeguarding of the right to peaceful protest.

At the same time, he will call on the Commission to clarify what measures it is taking to protect the fundamental rights of recognized national minorities in the candidate countries for accession, with particular reference to their property rights.

Mr. Beleris directly raises the issue of linking Albania's accession process with 

with specific criteria on the rule of law and the protection of minorities.

“Will the Commission request clarifications from the authorities regarding the safeguarding of the right to protest?”

A question was addressed to the European Commission by New Democracy and European People’s Party MEP, Fredis Beleris.

Mr. Beleris notes in his statement that “these incidents raise serious questions regarding the respect for fundamental freedoms, property rights and the protection of recognized national minorities in a country that is a candidate for accession to the European Union.”

At the same time, it asks whether the Commission “has taken note of the allegations of violence and intimidation against residents of Svernets during peaceful protests and intends to request clarifications from the Albanian authorities regarding the safeguarding of the right to protest?”.

Beleris’ post:

In the village of Svernets in the Vlora region, where members of the Greek National Minority mainly live, it is alleged that a private company is intervening and encroaching on lands and properties that were illegally confiscated by the communist regime in the 1960s and have not yet been returned to their legal owners.

At the same time, during peaceful protests by residents about the injustice they have suffered, incidents of violence and intimidation by individuals allegedly associated with the company were recorded, even in the presence of police forces.

These incidents raise serious questions about respect for fundamental freedoms, property rights and the protection of recognised national minorities in a country that is a candidate for accession to the European Union.

In this light, the Commission is asked:

Is it aware of the allegations of violence and intimidation against residents of Svernets during peaceful protests and does it intend to seek clarification from the Albanian authorities on the safeguarding of the right to protest?

What measures is it taking to protect the fundamental rights of recognised national minorities, including their property rights, in the candidate countries?

Does it consider that Albania's progress in the accession process should be linked to concrete and measurable results in terms of the protection of minorities and respect for the rule of law?