[ALBSA-Info] {QIKSH «ALBEUROPA»} Greece Says More Democracy Needed In Albania

[Nikoll A Mirakaj]

Greece Says More Democracy Needed In Albania 

ATHENS, Nov 17, 2000 -- (Reuters) Greece dispatched a senior foreign ministry official to the Albanian capital of Tirana on Thursday to discuss the treatment of minority Greeks during Albania's local elections last month.

Foreign Ministry General Secretary George Savaidis will have talks with Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta and Foreign Minister Paskal Milo about what Greece sees as poor treatment of ethnic Greeks during the election.

"We will transfer our message for more democratic changes, the respect of the Greek ethnic minority and its property, and for a stronger control of illegal immigrants," Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said on Thursday.

Greece had reacted to alleged voting violations during last month's local elections in and around the city of Himare.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe had said the second round of voting had been "less transparent and inclusive" than the first.

Southern Albania has a large ethnic Greek population with close ties to Athens and ethnic Greeks in Albania have complained about police keeping them away from polling stations.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou wrote to European Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten about what he said was a serious lack of democracy in Albania and a need to respect the rights of the Greek minority.

"We want good relations and we believe that Greece can contribute to the European route of Albania," Beglitis said. "The letter sent to Commissioner Patten is just to stress the need for changes in the country."

The EU is expected to send a committee in early 2001 to discuss a cooperation agreement with Albania.

(C)2000 Copyright Reuters Limited

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