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Shkruar nga Stavros Tzimas
Dendias' visit to Tirana is just for show, for now Athens has other priorities
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias paid an official visit to Tirana on Monday, where he met with his counterpart Ermal Nufi and Prime Minister Edi Rama. He also continued the tradition of Greek officials who have for years received the "blessing" of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, once from the late Archbishop Anastas Janullatos and today from his successor, Archbishop Joan.
What exactly was discussed during Dendias' meetings with Albanian leaders is not clear from public statements. Nor did Albanian media, which are usually particularly sensitive to high-level visits from Greece, report concrete details.
Regarding the meeting with Prime Minister Rama, Dendias stated that both sides made an assessment of the broader geopolitical situation and developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Regarding the talks with his Albanian counterpart, he said they discussed deepening relations in the field of defense and the importance of protecting the rights of the Greek ethnic minority within the framework of bilateral relations. Dendias also announced that he invited the Albanian minister to visit Athens at the end of next month.
If we refer to the statements of New Democracy MEP Fredi Beleri, who immediately after the end of the visit declared to TV A2 that "I hear from both sides that all issues are being negotiated and that a friendship treaty will be signed within the year", it can be assumed that Albanian-Greek relations may enter a new phase.
This becomes even more interesting considering that in the coming period, Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou is expected to arrive in Tirana, on the occasion of the European summit on Ukraine, as well as Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, as part of his tour of the Western Balkan countries.
Does this diplomatic mobility along the Athens-Tirana axis signal a new development? So far, there is no concrete indication that heralds a full resumption of Albanian-Greek relations in the post-Beleri era, much less the signing of a friendship treaty modeled on the 1996 agreement. Beyond the MEP's own statements, neither side has confirmed or denied these claims.
Visits, meetings and positive statements are welcome, but there is also the political reality. Greece is gradually entering a pre-election period and, although relations with Albania have improved significantly, it is difficult to imagine the development of important negotiations or the signing of major agreements on the eve of electoral processes.
The Albanian-Greek agenda still includes complex and historically weighty issues, which require courage and determination from both sides to resolve.
Is there anyone in the Greek government today who wants to raise such topics? In the author's assessment, certainly not Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The conclusion is simple: the big issues are left for later, after the elections, when the conditions for more important decisions are created. / Adapted from “ Kathimerini ”
Një mbrëmje, një hajdut po priste drynin e argjendarit me një sharrë metali. Një kalimtar i dehur e pyet: "Çfarë po bën këtu?" Hajduti përgjigjet: "Po luaj me violinë!" Burri i dehur pyet: "Por nuk ka zë këtu!" Hajduti thotë: "Do ta dëgjosh nesër!" Pra, Dendiasi është "hajduti" këtu dhe ne të gjithë jemi të dehur! Do ta dëgjojmë gjatë javës kur të dëgjojmë muzikën në Egje!