From properties in Himara to the relationship with Mitsotakis/ Rama: We are working to resolve issues between the two countries

2026-04-22 19:29:00, Politikë CNA

From properties in Himara to the relationship with Mitsotakis/ Rama: We are

Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke during his speech at the Delphi Economic Forum regarding the issue of Greek minority properties in our country.

Rama said that the problem with properties in areas where there are ethnic Greek citizens is the same as the problems faced by Albanian citizens in the same area or elsewhere. He stressed that these problems are being addressed.

"For half a century we had no private land. We were not allowed to own a single meter of land, not even a private vehicle. After 50 years, we finally changed that regime and property was the main issue. At that time, a law was passed, with the consensus of both the opposition and the party that came from the past, to give a use letter, a use title, not a property title, to all those who worked the land, while the former owners also had to be treated. At that time, an overlap was created and, over the years, people who had land use titles became owners, while the owners became former owners. A third layer was also created, which were many people who came from rural areas and built illegally wherever they could, on agricultural land. There was no other way but to legalize them.

We have been dealing with this for ten years, cleaning up as much as we can and digitizing the process. To summarize briefly: no one can prove the opposite of what I am telling you, that the problem with properties, even in areas where there are ethnic Greek citizens, is no different from the problems that Albanian citizens have in the same area and everywhere else. It is simply an Albanian problem for Albanians and for ethnic Greek citizens, which we are dealing with. Because we have a significant level of care and respect for the Greek minority, we have paid special attention to them. I want to congratulate Mitsotakis, who has been persistent on this, and I have considered it a good thing” , said Rama.

The head of government was also asked about the "Beleri" case, for which he said that the legal process ended in the best possible way, with him being elected as an MEP.

Asked by the editor-in-chief of "Kathimerini" about his relationship with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Rama said that the two have mutual respect. He further added that he hopes that all issues between the two countries will be resolved by the fall.

"Beleri is happy, he is a member of the European Parliament. For him, everything ended in a way that every mayor who is in detention would dream of. At the time, it seemed like a unique case. I tried to explain to Kyriakos that the issue is something that has to do with a model in our country that after the detention reform is becoming a problem. In Albania, we have 58% of people in prison who have not yet had a court proceeding.

When I say that Beleri ended up in a wonderful way as an MEP, I mean that I don't want to go back to it. The Beleri issue created some difficulties in our relationship. There is no doubt and this was an unintended consequence. But Kyriakos and I have always respected each other and have said things openly. We have decided that we will not let our countries be consumed by these kinds of quarrels. We must resolve the issues between us. Our ambition is to finish this year and to conclude all the issues next autumn. For us there is no problem.

We have the unresolved issue of the law of war that we do not want to be, we want it to be abolished. We have a great asset, the Greek minority and you have a great asset, the Albanian citizens integrated into life here. I can speak without the permission of the Greeks or the Europeans, but I cannot speak without the permission of the Americans. We have the chance and our American friends are interested and we are happy to have engaged in a conversation with Greece on energy , "said Rama. /CNA