Bledar Feta appeared on the “Ballkan Update” and discussed with Linda Karadaku about the political fallout of the tragic train crash in Greece, the possibility for the EU’s five member states’ recognition of Kosovo as well as the new dynamics in the Greek-Albanian relations.

On the latest political developments in Greece after the tragic railway accident, Feta stressed that “the accident completely changed the electoral landscape with the governing center-right New Democracy losing a significant ground” and added that “the upcoming electoral elections will be of great important since the Greek electorate will be called to decide on a number of issues that have put in question the proper functioning of democracy in Greece”.

Regarding the possible recognition of Kosovo’s independence by the EU’s five non-recognizers, Feta pointed out that “the EU agreement on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough to change the approach of the five non-recognizers. Only the full implementation of the agreement could change their approach, and this is a process that will take a long time.”

A significant part of the discussion was dedicated to the Greek-Albanian relations with Feta mentioning that “even if there are new dynamics in the bilateral relations, the two sides have not found the necessary formula for the solution of their chronic problems”. The single most powerful explanation for this stagnation, according to Feta, “are the wrong perceptions inherited by the past and the different readings that both societies have in regard to the open issues. This has diverted the political leaderships from taking the risk of addressing issues of national interest”.

Within this context, Feta also made reference to ELIAMEP’s SEE Program’s new project, ALGREE and presented the first Media Monitoring Report (MORE).

This interview is part of media dissemination in the context of the project ALGREE – “Albania-Greece: Understanding. Connecting. Partnering.

Click to watch the interview (in Albanian) here, and you can read the specific news items published by ABC News Albania here and here.