Freddy Belleris in the European Parliament: Albania moves away from European acquis instead of approaching it

‘ In the Western Balkans respect for the European acquis must be the only way to join candidate states,” he said. His first intervention in the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg took place this morning (17.09.2024) by the New Democracy MEP, Freddie Beleris, speaking of his imprisonment, Albania’s relationship with the European Union and justice in the neighbouring country. “It is with great emotion that I address, for the first time, the plenary of our European Parliament, an institution whose determination has proved capable of unlocking the Albanian cell, where I remained for 16 months,” he said starting his intervention. “Today, I am here as a minority Greek MEP, who comes from a Member State of the European Union, but was born in a country that aspires to join the European family. Unfortunately, however, this country is constantly moving away from the European acquis rather than approaching it. The current situation in Albania shows how reforms can easily be converted into “totalism bombs” in the foundations of a democratic state. This was also done with the funded – and from European resources – judicial reform, he added. The Albanian government has often made its arm, Justice, which it has done not only in my case, but also in the leader of the main opposition. Our Union is now facing an oxymoron. The more for granted its support for Mr Rama’s leadership, the more intense the anti-European feeling becomes to the citizens of the country,” Freddy Beleris added.