The Political Assembly of the European People’s Parties, approved this Tuesday a resolution presented by the Greek party New Democracy, which requires the Albanian authorities to allow the swearing in of the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri.

The resolution recalls the amendment of the 2022 Report on Albania regarding the arrest by the Albanian authorities of the mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri, which was voted by a majority of votes in July in a plenary session of the European Parliament.

During that session, the MEPs expressed their concern regarding the arrest of Beleri by the Albanian authorities on the eve of the May local elections and demanded his immediate release.

The amendment also stated that the Albanian authorities violated the presumption of innocence and prevented the elected mayor from taking office.

Today’s resolution condemns the actions of the Albanian government towards the Greek minority, the elected mayor, as well as “direct interference” in the electoral process, which is “against European values”. In the EPP resolution, it is emphasized that “no country trying to become a member of the EU can act in this way”.

At the same time, it is added that “the flagrant disregard of the Albanian government for the rule of law, fundamental rights, the rights of the Greek minority and above all the European acquis creates a political vacuum between Albania and the EU”.

Resolution concludes by asking the Albanian authorities to respect the result of the local elections of May 14, as well as the presumption of innocence, as well as to take all necessary legal and administrative or other measures to ensure the swearing in of Fredi Beleri, who as it is underlined that it has nothing to do with the justice process.