After release from prison, elected Albanian mayor makes maiden speech as an MEP: Reforms in Albania are turning into totalitarianism

Fredi Beleri spoke today for the first time in the European Parliament, as an MEP elected under the logo of the party of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The former elected pro-Greek mayor of Himare, in the southwest of Albania, said that “unfortunately, Albania is moving further away from Europe” and that “the current situation in the country shows how reforms can easily turn into ‘totalitarian bombs’ on the foundations of a democratic state”.
“It is with great emotion that I address the plenary session of the European Parliament for the first time, an institution whose determination was able to unlock me from the Albanian prison cell, where I stayed for 16 months.
“Today, I am here as an MEP of a Greek minority who comes from a member state of the European Union, but I was born in a country that aspires to join the European family. Unfortunately this country is moving away from Europe, instead of is getting close to it”, Beleri said, referring to Albania.
He further added: “The current situation in Albania shows how reforms can easily turn into ‘totalitarian bombs’ on the foundations of a democratic state. This was also done with the justice reform, also financed by European sources. The Albanian government has often made of the Judiciary its wing, which it did not only in my case, but also to the leader of the current opposition there.
“The EU now faces an oxymoron since the more certain the support for Mr. Rama’s leadership is considered, the stronger the anti-European feeling among the country’s citizens becomes.
“In the Western Balkans, respect for Europe should be the only way for candidate states to join. Any withdrawal would automatically mean the loss of our common values”, said Beleri in his speech.

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