The Greek foreign ministry on Wednesday renewed calls for respect for minority rights and the rule of law in neighboring Albania after a Greek citizen was injured during clashes linked to a property rights protest in the coastal village of Zvërnec, while also outlining a broader diplomatic agenda focused on the western Balkans, Libya and the Middle East.
Speaking at a regular briefing for diplomatic correspondents, ministry spokeswoman Lana Zochiou said Athens had expressed strong concern over the incident and requested a full investigation by Albanian authorities.
Greece’s embassy in Tirana provided consular and medical assistance to the injured citizen and sought clarification from the Albanian government regarding the circumstances surrounding the violence.
The foreign ministry said the episode underscored the importance of protecting property rights and ensuring the rights of members of the Greek minority in Albania. Athens has reiterated that Albania’s progress toward European Union membership remains tied to compliance with the EU acquis, including adherence to the rule of law, protection of minority communities and respect for property rights.
The issue comes amid continuing tensions over land ownership disputes and development projects in areas inhabited by members of the Greek minority, a recurring source of friction in bilateral relations in recent years.
Athens also reaffirmed its longstanding support for the European integration of the western Balkans, describing enlargement as a strategic priority for both Greece and the European Union.
Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis is scheduled to visit Serbia on June 12 and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro on June 19 as part of an initiative aimed at supporting reform efforts and closer alignment with European standards across the region.
The foreign ministry additionally confirmed that a new round of technical talks with Libya on maritime boundary delimitation will take place in Tripoli on June 10. The discussions follow a series of high-level contacts that have intensified since last year as Greece seeks to strengthen engagement with both the internationally recognized authorities in Tripoli and eastern Libyan powerbrokers.
Greek officials described maritime delimitation as a key strategic objective and said dialogue with Libya has advanced steadily over the past year. Irregular migration remains another major concern, particularly efforts to prevent the so-called Tobruk-Crete “route” from developing into a permanent corridor for undocumented migration into Europe.
Regarding relations with Turkey, Athens declined to comment in detail on media reports concerning a proposed law in the neighboring country linked to the revisionist and expansionist “Blue Homeland” doctrine, noting that no official proposal has been presented by Ankara.
Greek officials said they remain prepared for all scenarios while continuing to support dialogue, stability and good-neighborly relations. Diplomatic channels between the two countries remain open despite the absence of recent direct contact between the foreign ministers on the issue.
The briefing also focused on developments in the Middle East, where Greece expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon. Officials warned that continued hostilities risk worsening the humanitarian situation and triggering further displacement.
Athens has called for strict adherence to international law and UN Security Council resolutions while supporting ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a durable ceasefire. Greece has also expanded humanitarian assistance to Lebanon and reaffirmed support for the country’s sovereignty, stability and territorial integrity.
Officials said Greek diplomacy remains focused on regional stability, maritime security, energy connectivity and support for diplomatic solutions to conflicts across the wider Mediterranean and Middle East at a time of mounting geopolitical uncertainty.
