April 2005

<<back

print>>

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION ON THE REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN THE BALKANS

April 2005 – The European Parliament plenary session held the 14th April adopted a resolution on the reconstruction of Western Balkans underlining the fact that the region of Western Balkans is a high priority for the European Union. The Resolution covers the situation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia, but also focuses on Albania. Regarding Albania, the European Parliament points out that Albania's European prospect and the progress in negotiations on the Stabilization and Association Process with the EU is closely linked with the respect of minority rights.

Specifically, Tirana is called to respect the ethnic Greek minority rights. At the same time, the European Parliament expresses concern because the political climate in Albania is problematic with tensions inside the ruling party. Currently, most of the Greek Minority in Albania live in southern Albania, a region called Northern Epiros by most Greeks. As reported by the Macedonian Press Agency, the Albanian government has cleaned ethnic Greeks from appointed positions of power.

Apart from the resolution of the EP, the European Commission has reminded repeatedly that the respect and support of minority rights, as well as an open and constructive attitude toward minorities in Albania constitute basic preconditions for the country's progress in the Stabilization and Association Process with the EU.