B3-1478/93

Resolution on attacks on members of the Greek minority in Albania

The European Parliament,

-having regard to previous resolutions on Albania and, notably, its resolution of 15 July 1993 on Albania,

A.whereas relations between Albania and Greece came under renewed strain on 23-24 October 1993 when the Albanian police attacked the Greek minority in the village of Krania in Albania,

B.whereas, during these clashes the 70 year old Stamatas Thanasi, a member of the Greek minority, was killed and 14 other persons were injured,

C.whereas these clashes were provoked by the Albanian Government's attempts to call into question the Greek minority's claim to agricultural regions which it has traditionally cultivated,

D.whereas the decision by the Argyrokastro police authority to close the Greek schools in the region is exacerbating an already tense situation and constitutes a flagrant violation of the rights of the Greek minority,

E.recalling the right of minorities to education in their own language, as recognized by international conventions,

1.Stresses its commitment to human rights and the rights of minorities which must be fully respected;

2.Condemns unreservedly the acts of violence perpetrated by the Albanian police against the Greek minority which violate the recognized principles of international law as regards both the protection of minorities and respect for human rights;

3.Calls on the Albanian Government in future to avoid violent actions which endanger the safety of the Greek minority and which seem to be increasing given reports of plans to transport Muslims from the north of the country and settle them permanently in the regions of Aghia Saranta, Argyrokastro and Delvino;

4.Calls on the Albanian Government to rescind its decision to close the schools of the Greek minority and to confirm its commitment to the full cultural and religious autonomy of the Greek-speaking minority in Albania;

5.Calls on the Greek and Albanian Governments to work together and cooperate in a comprehensive and coordinated manner at political, economic and cultural levels, since this will contribute to peace in this region of the Balkans;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Albanian Government and the CSCE Secretariat.