Erion Brace
Socialist Party MP Erion Braçe, during the debate in Parliament on the bilateral agreement with Italy, did not spare harsh criticism of the Greek state’s behavior towards Albanian immigrants.
He praised the agreement with Italy as a model of sincere and fruitful cooperation, while placing it in direct contrast to the problematic relations with Greece.
” We have crossed every institutional cooperation limit with Italy. Relations are at the highest possible level. Albania is offered knowledge, technology and experience to develop the economy, health, education. There, Albanians are integrated, have businesses, have status ,” said Brace. But in the same spirit, he added in a firm tone: ” The higher relations with Italy rise, the more problematic relations with Greece seem. “
Braçe went on to call the way Greece treats Albanians, especially at the border, “shameful.” ” That annual behavior with the 5-6 kilometer long queues in Kakavija, every time there is Easter or summer vacation, is unacceptable. Two police officers with silent orders create artificial obstacles for people who want to return to their country ,” he said.
According to Braçe, this is not simply a technical or administrative issue, but a discriminatory political approach towards Albanians. ” They cannot see us only as a labor force. We have made a great economic contribution to Greece. Albanians are among the most valued workers there. But this is not reflected in the treatment they receive ,” he stressed.
He also brought to attention the pension agreement between Albania and Greece, which according to him remains only on paper. ” We have the agreement with the main European countries, but not with Greece. 3800 Albanians have applied, 500 files have been sent, but none have benefited yet. Greek bureaucracies are dragging out a well-deserved right ,” said Brace.
The socialist MP praised Italy’s commitment to helping Albania in European integration, while for Greece he had a clear appeal: ” Greece is a member of the European Union. It has a responsibility to treat Albanians with dignity. No more as second-class foreigners, no more with absurd barriers and permits that depend on social security paid under pressure .”
At the end of his speech, Brace called for the relationship with Greece to be treated seriously and for the Albanian state to seek the full implementation of the rights of its citizens there. “ Italy is being resolved. Greece must be next ,” he concluded with a direct message to the Greek government.