Greece and Albania: From the Beleri case to people to people ties

The Greek Current

The case of Fredi Beleri, the convicted mayor elect of Himare who belongs to Albania’s Greek minority, has heightened tensions between Greece and Albania over the past year. A recent poll exploring Greek attitudes toward bilateral relations and their views on Albanians who have made Greece their home shows that while attitudes toward Albanian immigrants have drastically improved, assessments of the political relationship are worse. Professor Ioannis Armakolas, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the South-East Europe Programme at ELIAMEP, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the progress that has been made in Greek-Albanian relations - with a focus on the people to people ties - amid lingering challenges facing the two countries.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Greek public opinion and attitudes on Albania, Albanians and Greek-Albanian relations

Albanian integration and acceptance in Greece

Berlin-Ankara ‘Grey Wolves’ row rumbles on as Germany summons Turkish envoy

Germany summons Turkish ambassador over ‘wolf’ goal celebration

Turkey's Demiral to be suspended for two games over wolf gesture

Government focus shifting to daily life