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Balla reacts to Athens: Narta is Albanian, indigenous land

2026-06-04 21:26:00, Politikë CNA

The Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group and the SP's Political Leader for the Diaspora, Taulant Balla, requested from Greece the conclusion of the agreement on the mutual recognition of social contributions, emphasizing that hundreds of thousands of Albanians who have worked for decades in the neighboring country deserve to benefit from their pensions.

From the Parliament's rostrum, Balla said that Albania has already reached such agreements with ten European Union countries, while negotiations with Greece should be concluded as soon as possible.

"Yes, we have at least a million Albanians who have worked in Greece for 35 years. I can't wait for the Greek Parliament and the Albanian Parliament to vote on the agreement on the double recognition of social contributions. Greece owes hundreds of thousands of Albanian citizens who have worked there for years," declared Balla.

He also reacted to the statements of the Greek Foreign Ministry regarding the events in Narta. Balla emphasized that our country fully respects European criteria, but rejected claims that Narta should be considered the territory of the Greek minority.

"Narta is Albanian, autochthonous land," he said, adding that Albanians and members of the Greek minority have coexisted in the area, but this does not change the Albanian character of the province.

An important part of Balla's speech was also dedicated to the debate on the investment in Zvërnec. He defended the strategic project and stated that investors from Qatar have so far invested 225 million dollars, while the Albanian state has a legal obligation to guarantee the investment.

According to Balla, SPAK should investigate any doubts about the property documentation, but this does not infringe on the rights of investors who have invested in Albania. He also accused opponents of the project of trying to damage the country's image at the height of the tourist season by distributing images and information that create the perception of a tense situation in the country.

During the debate in the Assembly, Balla also attacked the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, for his positions regarding the protests for Zvërnec. According to him, Berisha has changed his position within a few days regarding the investment.

"It's unimaginable how a man at such an advanced age can change his mind. Within 72 hours, he can maintain this change of attitude," said Balla, adding that there had been no doubt that Berisha would change his position.

Balla also condemned any attempt to relocate protests near political party headquarters, arguing that such actions could create unnecessary clashes between militants and divert attention from civic causes./ CNA