Greece and Albania share a long history marked by conflict. Following the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of new nation-states in the Balkans, both countries have disputed territorial claims. In 1912, during the first Balkan War, Greece invaded southern Albania, a region predominantly inhabited by ethnic Albanians. The international community later restored some of this territory to Albania, leading Greece to adopt a new strategy. In 1914, they sparked the Northern Epirus uprising, seeking autonomy and asserting historical Greek claims to the area. Despite official statements of military withdrawal, soldiers, having shed their uniforms, continued the conflict. This period saw a campaign of ethnic cleansing.
World War II further complicated relations. Fascist Italy’s invasion of Albania and subsequent attack on Greece from southern Albania prompted a Greek counteroffensive, pushing the Italian forces back through Albanian territory. Post-war, Greece accused the Albanian Cham population within its borders of Nazi collaboration, resulting in their forceful deportation — a situation unrectified to this day. The advent of Albania’s communist regime, coupled with Greece’s internal post-war turmoil, led to a cessation of territorial hostilities. In 1971, Albania and Greece established diplomatic relations. However, Greece continues to uphold a wartime law against Albania, a remnant of their World War II declaration of war.
After the fall of Albania’s communist regime and the reopening of borders, Greek influence in the region resurfaced. The 1990s marked a significant economic gap between the two countries, with Greece’s GDP at $105 billion and Albania’s at $1 billion, according to the World Bank. This disparity led some Greek political factions to promote their nationalist agenda in Albania, leveraging economic power. Many Albanians, attracted by the benefits of a Greek passport such as pensions, social security, medical care, visa-free travel, and EU scholarships, sought citizenship. While numerous Albanians accessed these benefits without conditions, a concerning issue arose: some, particularly the more vulnerable, received these benefits only by falsely claiming a Greek identity.
The documentary “Albanian Footprints” reveals how residents in the village of Mursia, Saranda, are pressured to falsely identify as Greeks in the Albanian national census, artificially boosting the Greek minority count in these areas. The journalist employs hidden cameras to converse with locals, who are unable to openly declare their true nationality. A notable instance involves a villager who initially identifies as Greek, believing he is speaking to census officials, but retracts his claim upon realizing the truth.
This situation echoes a historical incident over a century ago, where Greek representatives paid children to feign Greek identity in front of an international border commission, only to revert to speaking Albanian when provoked. Interviews conducted in Mursia unanimously affirm the village’s enduring Albanian identity, contrary to what the census may suggest. Under Albanian minority laws, a municipality with a self-declared national minority of 20% gains the right to use the minority’s language in official communications and signage. This policy, in turn, could pave the way for further unfounded claims and influence.
The situation of Odise Gremo from the village of Sopik in Gjirokastra is a telling example of the consequences faced by those who diverge from the narrative. Featured in an episode of “Albanian Footprints,” he revealed that his village, historically Albanian, had become ethnically mixed. Subsequently, Greece denied him a visa necessary for medical treatment. Secretly recorded footage shows him at the consulate questioning the refusal. The response he received was that his appearance on TV, where he expressed these views, was inappropriate, with the official reason stating he lacked “a Greek national conscience” and was spreading “Albanian propaganda.” This situation highlights the struggle of Albanians living in Albania who cannot freely express their views, pointing to a larger issue where the Albanian state seems unable to protect its citizens’ rights to free expression, even within its own borders. This raises concerns about Greece’s adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights, specifically Article 5, which guarantees the freedom of conscience.
Another controversial issue involves the activities of Greek nationalist groups in southern Albania, specifically the construction of cemeteries purportedly for Greek soldiers. While it’s understandable that Greece wants to honor its soldiers who fell in Albania during World War II, the execution of this plan raises questions. Instead of building these memorials at actual battle sites, they are being placed in various locations across southern Albania. This approach seems to correlate with Greece’s historical territorial claims rather than the factual sites of battles, a point contested by historians who assert that no battles occurred at these marked locations.
A striking example is found in Boboshtica, Korça. Locals recall that only one Greek soldier died there and was respectfully buried by the village’s ancestors. However, the Greek organization OMONIA designated this site as a Greek memorial, going as far as to build a monument there, which involved the desecration of existing village cemeteries. This act led to legal proceedings against several individuals involved. Such actions by Greek nationalist circles not only stir historical inaccuracies but also disrupt the cultural and historical fabric of these Albanian communities.
Equally troubling is the fabrication of evidence by these groups. In Kosina, a village in Gjirokastra, an incident occurred where local people’s remains were unearthed and falsely presented as the remains of Greek soldiers. The villagers themselves have testified that these were the graves of their own ancestors, and an Albanian team of experts supported this claim, identifying the remains as those of children, women, the elderly, and even animals. Contrary to media reports, these bones were never sent to Greece for further examination.
Despite the initiation of an investigation driven by the villagers, the case was ultimately closed without any prosecutions. This situation not only highlights a concerning level of deceit in these actions but also raises questions about the handling and closure of the investigation, leaving a sense of injustice among the local community.
The influence of nationalist circles extends into Albanian politics, as exemplified by the case of Fredi Bejleri. Recently elected as the mayor of Himara in local elections, Bejleri is now under arrest on charges of vote-buying. His arrest has sparked diplomatic tensions between Albania and Greece. The Albanian government asserts that the arrest is a judicial matter, independent of political influence. However, Greece contends that the arrest is motivated by political and ethnic biases. This disagreement has had tangible diplomatic repercussions: Greece has declined to support a letter crucial for initiating the first five chapters of Albania’s European Union negotiation process. This situation illustrates the complex interplay of local politics, national identity, and international relations in the Balkans.
Bejleri’s case is further complicated by his outspoken anti-Albanian stance. He has not only publicly expressed views against the Albanian state but has also been legally convicted for acts against it. Additionally, he is implicated in a grave incident: the 1994 Massacre of Pëshkëpi. During this attack, a terrorist group, allegedly including Bejleri, assaulted an Albanian army base, resulting in the death of two Albanian soldiers. The attackers, reportedly shouting slogans in the name of Northern Epirus, were apprehended while crossing the border, with stolen Albanian army weapons found in their possession.
Despite the initiation of investigations into these serious allegations, the inquiry has been hampered by the mysterious disappearance of critical files. Bejleri’s political campaigning under the Northern Epirus flag, symbolising a separatist movement linked to ethnic cleansing in southern Albania, adds another layer of complexity to his controversial and polarising figure in Albanian politics.
These instances highlight the ongoing influence of nationalist Greek circles in Albania. This influence appears to persist partly due to issues within the Albanian government and justice system, allowing such actions to go unchecked. The case of politicians like Fredi Bejleri, who arguably should have faced legal consequences for their actions, instead holding public office, is a prime example. Similarly, individuals involved in grave desecrations, which are criminal acts under Albanian law, have avoided imprisonment and continue their activities.
The lack of a strong stance from Albanian political leadership against these influences, often due to short-term political objectives, exacerbates the issue. Meanwhile, Albanian state institutions seem slow in addressing these violations but are quick to act against activists opposing such nationalist agendas.
Take the case of activist Florian Canaj from Gjirokastra, for example. He endured extensive police interrogation just for visiting regions predominantly inhabited by ethnic Greeks. This situation becomes more striking when contrasted with the response to the display of Northern Epirus flags, symbols of separatism, which often goes unchecked, even during politically sensitive periods like the trial of Fredi Bejleri.
Moreover, Canaj and his team, who were working on the restoration of the Hormova memorial to honour 217 Albanian men killed by Greek forces during the 1914 Northern Epirus uprising, faced an abrupt halt to their project. This occurred despite having initially received approval from the local municipality. Such inconsistent reactions by the authorities not only highlight a disparity in handling different forms of activism but also suggest a deeper issue within the political and institutional framework. It points to an inadequate response to nationalist behaviour, which, if not properly addressed and mitigated, could lead to significant and detrimental future consequences.
In a region shadowed by a complex past, the enduring strife between Greece and Albania highlights a challenging path towards reconciliation. The stories of individuals entangled in these disputes mirror the broader struggle for identity and justice. Acknowledging historical truths and embracing diversity are key to transcending past grievances and steering the Balkans towards a future marked by harmony and mutual respect.
Arilda Lleshi
Arilda Lleshi, combining her expertise in International Relations and Political Philosophy with her role as an independent political activist in Albania, contributes thoughtfully to THE FRONTLINER Magazine. Her deep engagement with the political landscape of Southeast Europe guides her focus on the complex dynamics between Albania and Greece, along with Albania's political stance towards Serbia.
Arilda's insights are a window into the nuanced geopolitical relationships in the region. Her articles not only illuminate these intricate connections but also offer a perspective grounded in her rich understanding of the area's political fabric, making her a valuable voice in discussions on Southeast European politics.
