File photo. [AP]
Athens distanced itself from Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s assessment that an agreement on delimiting an Exclusive Economic Zone could be reached by year’s end, saying it does not share that view, a senior diplomatic source said.
Speaking after Rama’s remarks at the Delphi Forum, the source said discussions on a compromise to refer the dispute to the International Court of Justice have lingered for years without resolution.
The same source said a previous compromise collapsed due to the Albanian side, after the country’s Constitutional Court effectively rejected it. As a result, Albania must enact the necessary institutional changes so a future accord is not struck down again.
The issue has repeatedly shifted among political actors in Tirana, including between the prime minister and successive presidents, most recently Bajram Begaj.
Separately, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Lana Zohiou highlighted Greece’s Delphi Declaration supporting Western Balkans’ European path and outlined expectations for Albania.
“The basic message to the Albanian side is that reforms must advance on the rule of law, protection of fundamental rights, and tackling corruption and organized crime,” she said. “Our priority is obligations regarding safeguarding the Greek national minority and property rights.”