Greek minority MEP turns on Albania’s EU bid in European Parliament

Greek minority MEP Fredi Beleri said Albania is not ready to join the European Union, using a European Parliament meeting to criticize the country’s justice system.

Beleri, an Albanian citizen elected to the European Parliament from Greece, said Albania still has serious problems with the rule of law and the enforcement of court decisions.

Speaking at the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, he said the country’s justice reform and vetting process had shown weaknesses.

He also referred to cases involving opposition leader Sali Berisha and former president Ilir Meta, saying they had been affected by what he described as failures in the justice system.

Beleri said those who claim Albania is ready for EU membership either do not see the situation clearly or have a mistaken view of the country’s progress.