ABC News – Threat to the European Route/ Gjipali: Greece’s blockade is undermined by the verdict in the Beleri trial, 29 February 2024

Gledis Gjipali, European Integration Expert, offered his thoughts on Greece’s threat to obstruct Albania’s path towards the EU in the event that the Fredi Beleri dispute remains unresolved. He emphasized in a “Tirana Live” interview that the verdict in Beleri’s trial might render Greece’s blockade void. According to Gjipali, this has to do with the blockade Greece placed on Albania as a result of the Beleri issue. He views the resolution of this blockade as the end of Beleri’s legal case, and once that case is resolved, the veto will no longer be valid. He does, however, emphasize that the outcome is contingent upon the nation’s choice to impose the veto. The EU treaty itself gives each nation the authority to obstruct the voting process, so in some circumstances the arguments may not be strong enough to support a decision. The expert believes that this is a matter that needs to be handled expeditiously because, while the present problem is transient, political tensions could potentially create future obstacles.

ABC News – Threat to the European Route/ Gjipali: Greece’s blockade is undermined by the verdict in the Beleri trial, 29 February 2024