Albanian GreekRINIA rela SHQIPTAREtions from the eyes 2011 of the Albanian public- perceptions 2013 Mes besimit për të ardhmen dhe dyshimit Alba Cela për të tashmen! Sashenka Lleshaj
Alba Çela Tidita Fshazi Arbjan Mazniku Geron Kamberi Zyra e Tiranës Jonida Smaja – koordinatore e FES Rruga “Abdi Toptani”, Torre Drin, kati 3 P.O. Box 1418 Tirana, Albania
Telefon: 00355 (0) 4 2250986 00355 (0) 4 2273306
Homepage: http://www.fes.org.al “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
“Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Tirana, March 2014 1 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Acknowledgements
The Albanian Institute for International Studies would like to express its gratitude to the Friedrich Ebert Stiiftung in Albania (FES-Tirana) that supported this project.
Published by: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Office Tirana Rr. Abdi Toptani Torre Drin, Kati i 3-të KutiaPostare 1418 Tiranë, ALBANIA
Authors: Alba Cela Sashenka Lleshaj
© Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
FES publications cannot be used for commercial purposes without a written approval.
2 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Introduction
In his first interview for the important Greek daily, Kathimerini, after the June 23 elections, the incoming Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the period of Siberian winter in the relations between Albania and Greece was coming to an end and soon ‘summer’ was on its way.1 He was referring to the problems that the countries had after not reaching a mutual deal on the Delimitation of the Greek- Albanian Continental Shelf and Maritime Zones or as commonly referred to by Albanian media and public the sea border issue. The deal that was prepared between the representatives of the respective governments was deemed unconstitutional in Albania after the Socialist Party itself brought it before court. Then in the pre-election campaign Prime Minister Sali Berisha raised his nationalistic tones alienating the southern neighbor even further. To add on the controversy Albanian immigrants were faced with important obstacle in their traveling back and forth due to the issue of name places, a case in which their children passport bears their birthplace written in official Albanian rather than the internationally recognized place name.2
Tat the time, it was only the last installment in a painstakingly complex and emotional soap opera like relationship that goes on between Albania and Greece, two neighbors in the Balkans which once the famous Albanian writer Ismail Kadare named ”the two oldest people of Europe.” History has vested their relationship with
1. Interview: Edi Rama. Kathimerini, June 30 2013. 2. One example is for a person born in Thessaloniki and in whose passport the birthplace reads: ‘Selanik’ which is the correct version in the Albanian language but not the accepted international version of this city. Other examples include Athina (in Albanian) which should be Athens. Also this applies to the name of the country which internationally reads ‘Greece’ and in Albanian is Greqi. 3 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” high dosages of drama, conflict and still numerous human, cultural and economic bonds that keep them together.
Well into this characteristic Balkan style love-hate relationship, Albanians on their side are quite passionate. When Albania won over Greece in a soccer match right after the Greek national team had become European Champions in September of 2004, Albanians celebrated their victory as redemption of what they thought the sufferings that their southern neighbor had inflicted upon them. A decade later most Albanians still think that was the match of the century.
It is therefore necessary to make an effort to capture the perceptions and their implications on policy and discourse by objective research. This study will first try to summarize for a non expert audience the list of main issues that condition that relationship between these two neighboring countries focusing on contemporary debates. A note for the objectives of the report is included before presenting the main conclusions from the national poll carried out in Albania in 2013. A parallel study has been conducted by The Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP). Comparisons between perceptions were the subject of the two conferences organized in the context of this project and discussed in Tirana and Athens respectively in November and December of 2013. A comparative analysis will be the subject of a forthcoming joint report of AIIS and ELIAMEP.
4 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Glossary of Issues
The variety and complexity of the issues that determine the relations between Greece and Albania and eventually also affect the perceptions that citizens of the two countries shave on each other looks like a confusing maze where the pieces of the puzzle are so intrinsically linked to each other. In various times and due to various shifts in context, one issue becomes increasingly more important than others until a new media report or a new incident occurs and the puzzle highlights a different piece. The following is a comprehensive yet not exhaustive list of factors that make up the current agenda of issues between Albania and Greece:
Maritime borders
While maritime borders and control over the Mediterranean Sea have often been at the centre of some countries’ disputed,3 Albania and Greece are the protagonists of one of these cases where the border lines of territorial sovereignty and hence economic exploitation in the Ionian Sea are not clearly defined. After two years of negotiations among governments of the two countries, an agreement was reached in April 2009 during a high-profile meeting between visiting Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and the Albanian counterpart, Sali Berisha. The Agreement for the Delimitation of the Greek-Albanian Continental Shelf and Maritime Zones was formally signed by the respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Lulzim Basha and Dora Bakoyannis.4
3. Kliot, N. (1987). Maritime Boundaries in the Mediterranean Sea: Aspects of Cooperation and Dispute, in Blake, G. H. (ed), Maritime Boundaries and Ocean Resources. Pp. 208-226. 4. Hellenic Communication Service. (2009). Greece, Albania Sign Continental Shelf Pact. Available at: http://www.helleniccomserve.com/greecealbaniasign. html. 5 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
The signing of the agreement was followed by different statements of Albanian military and International Law experts in the national media who claimed that the agreement had been subject to irregularity and abusive border delimitation.5 The issue also fed the emerging political nationalist voices in Albania with ample rhetorical material to use. Following this public unease, the Albanian Constitutional Court nullified the agreement “due to ‘procedural and substantial violations’ of the constitution and the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)”.6 The issue is still pending and was brought up in the recent visit to Tirana of the Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Venizelos. Potential oil drill exploration interests by both sides from American and Canadian firms in the waters of the Ionian Sea make the issue even more pertinent. 7
Migration
Around 700 thousand 8 Albanian citizens may reside in Greece although official figures vary from one source to another given the fact that a considerable part has resided illegally in Greece. Greece is by far the largest recipient of Albanian migrants who
5. Likmeta, B. (2009). Experts Reject Greek-Albanian Land Grab Claim. Balkan Insights. Available at: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/experts-reject- greek-albanian-land-grab-claim. 6. International Boundary Research Unit (IBRU). (2010). Albanian constitutional court nullifies maritime boundary agreement with Greece. Durham University. Available at: https://www.dur.ac.uk/ibru/news/boundary_news/?itemno=9534 &rehref=%2Fibru%2Fnews%2F&resubj=Boundary+news%20Headlines. 7. Tirana Times, (2012). Greece to start oil search near Albanian waters. Available at: http://www.tiranatimes.com/news.php?id=9157&cat=1. 8. Albanian Screen (2013). 32.5 % of Albanians living abroad as immigrants: Most of them in Greece. Available at: http://news.albanianscreen.tv/pages/ news_detail/56180/ENG.
6 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” have gone to great lengths to integrate within Greek society. While Albanians share of immigrants in Greece counts to nearly 60%,9 their successful mastering of the language and their traditional working settlement in jobs such as agriculture, construction, domestic works, food industry and other services linked to tourism10, Albanians have eventually become an important part of the Greek society and Greek economy. Their road to integration has been the hardest one compared to the situation experienced by Albanian immigrants in other countries. In the early 90s, reports of abuse with the immigrants in Greece such as police beatings and the infamous large scale deportation operations “Fshesa – (Broom)”11 inflamed Albanians with a sense of outrage and contempt for Greece. While the number of Albanian illegal migrants has decreased accompanied by a broader social integration of them into the Greek society, the current anti-immigrant sentiment in Greece seems to be more oriented towards other immigrant communities, especially those coming from Africa, Asia or the Middle East.
The recent economic crisis in Greece has urged many Albanian families to return home. According to a recent study in Albania, while it is difficult to measure the exact inflows of Albanian migrants, “combining the different partial statistics, it is estimated that in the last 5 years, between 18 to 22% of Albanian
9. Baldwin-Edwards, M. and Kyriakou, G., (2004). Statistical Data on Immigrants in Greece: An Analytic Study of Available Data and Recommendations for Conformity with European Union Standards. Mediterranean Migration Observatory UEHR, Panteion University. 10. Baldwin-Edwards, M. (2004). Albanian Emigration and the Greek Labour Market: economic symbiosis and social ambiguity. South East Europe Review. Pp 3-5. 11. International Crisis Group (ICG). (2001). Albania: The State of the Nation 2001. Balkans Report N°111. Tirana/Brussels.
7 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” migrants in Greece have returned to Albania”.12 Given this recent trend, Albania is now facing issues of returning migrants social integration, while there is an increase from 2009 of remittances from Greece due to returning migrants withdrawal of their savings from Greek banks.13 An important part of the returnees are Albanian migrants of a retiring age as well as those who used to conduct seasonal worker.14 Although this trend has been constant during the last five years, the Albanian migrant community in Greece still remains one of the largest immigrant community in Greece.
EU integration
Albania’s dream to achieve full EU membership is a national priority that is upheld by both a strong popular support15 and a commitment at least in public rhetoric by all political parties to adhere with the integration agenda. Greece on the other side has been the host of one of the most important EU events related to enlargement, the 2003 Thessaloniki summit where the commitment to include the Western Balkans countries in the EU family was strongly reassured. Official Greek foreign policy has been pro-enlargement, however Greece sometimes has shown to be an unsurpassable impediment to other countries on a variety of matters, most importantly to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as a result of the name issue. Nevertheless, Greece’s EU membership is a resource for its neighbours EU aspirations.
12. Albanian Centre for Competitiveness and International Trade (ACIT), (2012). Study on the Economic Impact of the Greek Crisis in Albania. P.9. Available at: http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1863/USAID%20Study%20 on%20Greek%20Crisis.pdf. 13. Ibid. p ii. 14. Kasimis, C. (2012). Greece: Illegal Immigration in the Midst of Crisis. Available at: http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=884. 15. AIIS has been conducting yearly surveys measuring popular support for integration, which has never fallen below 80 percent in national polls. Seewww. aiis-albania.org. 8 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Along Albania’s path towards EU integration Greece has been an important partner although not always constant in its support. Regarding Albania’s EU candidate status, Greece has expressed its support on different occasions. Accordingly, just before the meeting of the EU Council of Ministers, where the decision about granting Albania the EU candidate status was eventually postponed, the Geek ambassador to Tirana, Leonidas Rokanas, emphasized Greece’s firm support for Albanian’s EU integration.16 This statement was followed recently by another one that was made this time by the Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Evangelos Venizelos, who reaffirmed Greece support and stated that “Albania should get the candidate status in June”.17 Greece support on the issue becomes even more important and meaningful, given the fact that the country is holding the EU presidency from the beginning of 2014.
The Cham issue
The Cham issue in very broad strokes refers to the forceful and violent displacement of ethnic Albanian communities from the north of Greece into Albania at the end of World War II. Accused of collaborating with the Nazis many were forced to leave behind their houses and on their way many were killed and abused.18 Since then this community has been asking for Greece to accept this ethnic cleansing as well as to apologize and recognize the property rights of the displaced Albanians.
16. Tirana Times, (2013). Albanian-Greek relations: Beyond the status quo. 8:47. P. 7. 17. Tirana Times. (2014). Greece to support Albania’s EU integration process. 9:1. P. 5. 18. For a detailed account of the issue see Vickers, M. (2002). The Cham Issue: Albanian National & Property Claims in Greece.Conflict Studies Research Centre. G 109. 9 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Although Greece insists that there is no such issue as the Cham issue and therefore refers to it as a “non-issue”,19 in Albania the political consideration over the Cham question are increasing. This cause now is being advocated by the different political forces representing this community, the largest of which is the party for Justice, Integration and Unity (PDIU). Recently PDIU known in popular parlance as the Party of the Chams gained five (5) seats in Parliament, a significant presence. PDIU has been referring in the past four years to the compilation and ratification by the parliament of a Cham Resolution which will address the Cham issue and the Cham population’s demands.20 The attitude of Greece towards the issue angers more than only the members of the Cham community. Attempts by Greek police to block Albanian media from filming and recording in the northwestern Greek villages where some Albanian speaking communities still persist have caused quite a stir in Albania.21
The Orthodox Church
The communist regime forbade all manifestations and celebrations of religious character in Albania, setting a historical precedent of a policy of atheism. However, most believers in Albania continued to profess their faith in a quiet and private
19. Ibid. 20. Panorama [online]. (2012). Zbardhet rezoluta came: te kthehen pronat 10 miliard euro [The Cham resolution comes to light: 10 million euro of property to be returned]. Available at: http://www.panorama.com.al/2012/12/10/rezoluta- came-sot-ne-kuvend/. 21. One journalist who did a TV show on Albanian speaking villages in Greece , Marin Mema (a public figure well known in Albania), was not allowed to enter Greece anymore and was declared persona non grata. http://www.shqiptarja. com/media/2710/gazetari-i-top-channel-marin-mema-shpallet-non-grata-ne- greqi-112930.html, 19/09/2012. In another Top Chanel documentary ‘Shqip’ on Chameria, footage was shown of Greek police harassing the journalists and asking them not to film while following them with a police car. 10 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” manner. Upon the regime change religion was reinstituted as a basic human right. The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, one of the three traditional religious denominations, since the early 90s has been headed by a Greek: Archbishop Ananstasios Janullatos.22 The lack of experienced and sufficiently knowledgeable Albanian figures that could carry on such a duty was presented as a first argument for the election of a non- Albanian citizens to the head of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, but later on the argument lost ground to the perception that is time for the Orthodox Church to be headed by an Albanian. 23
Religion and politics were confronted once again in 2013 with the incident of the church in Permet (city in south Albania) which was taken over by the state after a court decision claiming it as public property.24 This was met with a note of protest by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs25 which raised many eyebrows in Albania and became an argument in favor of those who claim that Greece yields undue influence in the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania.
22. Archbishop Ananstasios Janullatos came to be heading the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania since 1992. This position was preceded by the Patriarchal Exarch in Albania carried by him from January 1991 until June 1992. 23. An ever present debate in Albania it resurfaces periodically in the press, see for example “ At Nikolla Marku: Her are my conflicts with Janullatos- an open letter to American Ambassador Arvizu” http://www.gazetametropol.com/at- nikolla-marku-ja-konfliktet-e-mia-me-janullatosin/ 24. Top Channel (2013). Police takes building in Permet, Available at: http:// www.top-channel.tv/english/artikull.php?id=9793. 25. Korologou, M. (2013). Albanians Pull Down Bell Tower in Përmet. Available at: http://eu.greekreporter.com/2013/08/17/albanians-pull-down-bell-tower- in-permet/. 11 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Greek Minority and its political parties
The Greek minority is the biggest minority in Albania, compared to the other minority groups and it is situated in southern Albania. It is difficult to estimate the exact number of people that constitute this community as different figures are presented. Thus in early 2000, the Albanian government would report a number or 60, 000 to 70,000, while the Greek government reported 200,000 to 400,000 people.26 The Greek minority in Albania and especially the extent of its social and political rights has been a crucial component of the Albanian-Greek relations and often at the centre of disputes. While some studies emphasize the relative good relations between the Greek minority and the Albanian majority in southern Albania, these studies do also emphasize the negative instrumentalisation of ethnicity for political gains by both sides, or the external pressure exercised upon it in certain periods, especially during elections.27
Since the fall of communism, there have been several political parties in the Albanian political arena that claimed to represent the interests of the Greek minority. Traditionally, the Greek minority has been politically organized through Omonia (Greek: Unity) and represented by the Union for Human Rights (PBDNj) which has been constantly present in the parliament and often also in the executive. Another party is the Greek Ethnic Minority Party (M.E.G.A), which was created as a result of the lack of consensus among the minority leaders. The tendency for party splits and schism has also affected these parties while they were trying to align themselves left or right
26. International Crisis Group (ICG). (2001). Albania: The State of the Nation 2001. Balkans Report N°111. Tirana/Brussels. 27. For different account see: Human Rights Watch (1995). Albania: The Greek Minority, 7:4; and Barjarba, K. (2004): Migration and Ethnicity in Albania: Synergies and Interdependencies, in: Brown Journal of World Affairs, 11:1 (summer/fall 2004), pp. 231-9. 12 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” in striving to become part of winning coalitions.28 Often Albanian citizens perceive these parties as tools at the hand of politicians in Athens and media contributes in solidifying these assumptions.
One ugly example of the ethnic tensions being mingled in party and local politics every time is the case of the bilingual community in Himara where “ winning elections” has almost become concomitant with ethnic victories.29 The participation of busloads of Greeks sent to Himara during local elections campaigns and associated incidents with burnt flags also contribute to an atmosphere of ethnic dispute. In the latest installment of this drama, the ultra-right Golden Dawn party had sent activist to establish a branch in Himara provoking a harsh reaction from Albanians.30
Greek soldiers’ graveyards
Albania and Greece from 2008 have an agreement for the former to undertake diggings to find the Greek fallen soldiers during the Greek-Italian war, which partly took place on Albanian territory, and further built memorial cemeteries in their memory.31 However,
28. Imeri, A. (2013). IBNA Special/2013 elections, Greek minority in Albania divided between SP and DP. Independent Balkan News Agency. Available at: http://www.balkaneu.com/ibna-special2013-elections-greek-minority-albania- divided-sp-dp/. 29. Barjarba, K. (2004): Migration and Ethnicity in Albania: Synergies and Interdependencies, in: Brown Journal of World Affairs, 11:1 (summer/fall 2004), pp. 231-9, http://www.watsoninstitute.org/bjwa/archive/11.1/Essays/Barjarba. pdf [6/21/2013]. 30. Independent Balkan News Agency (2013). “Golden Dawn” in Himara, Police of Valona: Several Greek and Albanian nationals under investigation for national hatred. Available at: http://www.balkaneu.com/golden-dawn-himara-police- valona-greek-albanian-nationals-investigation-national-hatred/. 31. Papapostolou, A. (2010). President of Albania, orders the construction of cemeteries for Greek Soldiers. Independent Balkan News Agency. Greek Reporter. Available at: http://eu.greekreporter.com/2010/04/15/president-of- albania-orders-the-construction-of-cemeteries-for-greek-soldiers/. 13 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” there are no official figures about the exact or approximate number of the soldiers that fell in Albanian soil. The only number given so far is that of the Greek government reporting 12,000 soldiers, a number that has been considered excessive in the Albanian public opinion.32 Furthermore, less agreeable have been for the public opinion the number of the military cemeteries sites which has been proposed as high as 669 and in selected cases their location. More importantly, sometimes incidents have occurred in existing cemeteries where the digging or searches were taking place. Within this controversy for example, the head of the Omonia association in Korca was accused of abusing with the old graveyard of a village while building the memorial to the fallen Greek soldiers. The legal case is still going on.33
Population census and Greek pensions
Rhetoric flared up again on the eve of the 2011 population census in Albania on whether questions on ethnicity and religion should be included in the general questionnaire. The main issue discussed was whether Albanian citizens of Albanian ethnicity would identified themselves as Greek in the census in order to be able to be classified as part of the Greek minority and thus benefit from Greek pensions issued by the Greek state. There were also concerns from the PDIU about the fulfillment of an agenda of Greek politics.34
32. Infoarkiv, (2014). Zbulohet pakti për varrezat, Greqia: Janë 12 mijë ushtarë të vrarë në Shqipëri. Available at: http://infoarkiva.com/lajme/artikull/ iden/175083/titulli/Zbulohet-pakti-per-varrezat-Greqia-Jane-12-mije-ushtare- te-vrare-ne-Shqiperi. 33. Gazeta Idea (2013). Pas shpalljes te pafajshem te Naum Dishos, prokuroria apelon vendimin. Available at: http://www.gazetaidea.com/pas-shpalljes-te- pafajshem-te-naum-dishos-prokuroria-apelon-vendimin/. 34. Agjencia Kombetare e Lajmeve NOA (2012). PDIU: Endrra e Athines: deklarimi I rreme I shqiptareve si greke. Available at: http://www.noa.al/artikull/ censusi-pdiu-endrrat-e-athines-zyrtare-deklarimi-i-rreme-i-shqiptareve-si- greke/169108.html. 14 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
The political party that gained considerable political capital from such a discussion was the Red and Black Alliance whose leader had previously tackled the issue of court name and citizenship changes.35 Following such discussions and concerns, the question appeared as optional in the final questionnaire.
The law of war
Unclear and tangled in a myriad of myth-meets-fact background, the law of war also stands out as a question that Albanians will often discuss in conversation about Greece’s stance towards Albania. An issue which is mostly bureaucratic yet highly symbolical for Albanians, the law of war was officially removed by the Greek government in 198736 yet it was not rendered null by the Greek parliament. Greece and Albania simultaneously hold a bilateral Treaty of friendship and Cooperation since 1996. There have been several calls from Albanian diplomats to bring full closure to the issue in order to send a positive signal for the improvement of the relations.37
35. Infoarkiv (2011). Refuzohet deklarimi i etnise dhe fese. Available at: http:// infoarkiva.com/lajme/artikull/iden/1047111914/titulli/Refuzohet-deklarimi-i- etnise-dhe-fese. 36. Evangelos Venizelos (Foreign Affairs Minister of Greece), Press statement on official visit to Tirana, 15 October 2013. 37. See current Foreign Affairs Minister Ditmir Bushati’s request at “Albania and Greece: tension about the Chams” http://top-channel.tv/artikull.php?id=265607 and former minister Edmond Panariti request at: “Albania Asks Greece to Declare War Finally Over”http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albania- calls-on-greece-to-abolish-war-declaration. Also, Albanian President Nishani’s statement is available here: http://www.balkaneu.com/war-peace-albanian- grek-relations/. For a more comprehensive account on the issue see Vickers, M. (2002). The Cham Issue: Albanian National & Property Claims in Greece.Conflict Studies Research Centre. G 109. 15 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Recognition of Kosovo
Greece, along with Spain, Romania, Slovakia and Cyprus are the EU member states that do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state. While Greece’s decision not to recognize Kosovo, has often been explained by the good Greek-Serbian relations, Greece’s broader consideration of the region and its stability; its own fears related to northern Cyprus claims; the broader issue of Albanian nationalism, the “Great Albania” and other concerns related to political considerations in the Balkans,38 could give a broader account of the driving motives of the current Greek position towards Kosovo’s independence. Although Greece does not recognize Kosovo, the country has been supporting the Belgrade- Prishtina dialogue,39 has special provision for the Kosovars willing to visit the country, there is an emerging economic cooperation40, and furthermore Greece has been present in regional meetings where Kosovo was present on a governmental level.
When it comes to Albanian-Greek relations, the issue of Kosovo has not been central, although still important. While Albania has been actively lobbying for countries to recognize Kosovo as an independent state; the delicate and yet agenda-full relations with Greece have moved the issue of Kosovo in a second plan. On the other side, Greece has in different occasions related Greece stances towards Kosovo with its relations with Albania rather than
38. A comprehensive account on the Greek stances in relation to Kosovo since the war in 1999 is provided by Armakolas, I. and Karabairis, A. (2012). “Greece – Kosovo: A complex relationship”, in Kosovo Calling (International Conference to Launch Position Papers on Kosovo’s Relation with EU and Regional Non- recognising Countries). Pp. 91-119. 39. Ministry of Foreign Affairs [Greece] (2014). Kosovo*: Political relations. Available at: http://www.mfa.gr/en/blog/greece-bilateral-relations/kosovo/. 40. Ministry of Economic Development [Republic of Kosovo] (2013). Beqaj: Businesses, a promoter of Kosovo – Greece relations. Available at: http://mzhe. rks-gov.net/?page=2,42,660. 16 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” with Serbia. Former Greek Ambassador to Tirana, Mallias, during his speech on a conference organized by the Albanian Institute for International Studies, ELIAMEP and the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic, he stated that “it would also be a good thing if Greece looked out for its own interests beyond the framework determined by Belgrade” while further assessing that “it is also certain that in the past few years, positions expressed by the Albanian media have negatively impacted Greek policies and public opinion and have played a hindering role in the policies of Greece towards Kosovo”.41 Recently, Albanian president Nishani explicitly asked his Greek counterpart to recognize Kosovo during president Papoulias’ last visit to Tirana.42
41. “Greece and Albania : The framework and terms for a NEW DEAL “ by Ambassador ( ad honorem) Alexandros Mallias, Speech, Conference by the Albanian Institute for International Studies, ELIAMEP and the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic ( TIRANA, March,27 2012) 42. B92 (2013). Albania “wants Greece to recognize Kosovo”. Available at: http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region.php?yyyy=2013&mm=11&dd=05&nav_ id=88240. 17 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Objective of the survey study
The purpose of this study is to shed light on the contemporary perceptions that the Albanian citizens residing in Albania have on Greek people, on the Greek state policies and on Greece’s relation to Albania in general. These perceptions themselves have been shaped by several factors. First and foremost they have been shaped by the political rhetoric of Albanian politicians and their interactions with Greek counterparts. They have been shaped by the media coverage, interpretation and analysis of the different issues that have occurred and have involved both countries and people from these countries. But most of all they have been shaped by direct interaction due to immigration. Even those Albanians that have not been immigrants to Greece have had relatives and close friends who have been or are still living there. Last but not least perceptions have also been shaped by the historical existence fog reek minority communities especially in the south of Albania which have coexisted peacefully throughout the years.
Perceptions also respond to heightened rhetoric and media in that they become less nuanced and generally more aggressive. In repeated surveys of the Albanian Institute for International Studies, when citizens were asked about any country representing a threat to Albania their usual answer was to pick Serbia. However after nationalistic politicians in Albania began to point out Greece as a problem to the territorial integrity of Albania, citizens were affected. In the polls conducted in the last year, AIIS has noticed that the majority of Albanian citizens who believe that there is a threat to Albania name it Greece. In 2011, out of the entire sample 18 percent of citizens believed that the security of Albania was under threat and out of them 47.9 percent believed that threat to
18 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” be posed by Greece while 51.6 percent said it was by Serbia43, while in 2013 “out of the third of the sample that point out a threat for Albania , the majority 55.8 percent believe that this threat is posed by Greece and 24.3 percent think the threat is Serbia. The other mentioned countries are of low or zero statistical relevance.”44
The Albanian Institute for International Studies recognizing the need to measure the pulse of citizens has carried out national survey with a representative sample in order to identify the public opinion perceptions, evaluations, concerns and expectations about the future of the relationship between these two countries as well as to identify the issues that affect this relation and the factors that build up the perception of it in the public eyes. Doing so, AIIS presents a set of valuable data for policy makers to pinpoint and address specific issues according to their importance and relevance all awhile combining them with necessary contextualization.
43. “Albania twenty years after: people on state and democracy”, AIIS: Tirana 2011, pg 76. 44. “The state of democracy in Albania before the 2013 elections”, AIIS; Tirana 2013. 19 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Executive Summary
Overall evaluations
While the majority of Albanian believe that the relations between Greece and Albania are just normal, there is a symmetry in the two groups that consider the relations in a good and bad shape, with respectively more than a quarter of the answers each.
Albanians seem to believe that governments of Albania and Greece enjoy a better relationship with each other than do the respective people of each state. While 52 percent of Albanians believe relations between Greek and Albanian government are normal only 42 percent say the same about the relations between Greeks and Albanians themselves. Similarly while only 15 percent of citizens believe that the relation between governments is bad or very bad the numbers who think that relation between people are in a bad shape grows up to 28 percent, close to a third of the sample.
An overwhelming majority of 76 percent in Albania believe that the relations with Greece are of considerable importance. The portion of those who attach no importance to this relation is very small, only 5 percent with the rest opting for some lesser degree of importance.
Albanian believe in large numbers, 41 percent of the sample, that relations with Greece have not changed much in the last decade compared to previous time periods. However a considerable 35 percent believe these relations have improved while 22 percent believe that have instead deteriorated. They are very optimistic that these relations in the future will improve, an option mentioned by 44 percent of the sample compared to 37 percent 20 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” who think that they will stay more or less the same. However one in ten citizens says that the relations will actually become worse in the future.
Important issues
There seem to be three Achilles heels in the relation between Greece and Albania according to the public opinion of Albanian citizens, and much of what will happen to the respectively relations between the countries will depend on the progress achieved in addressing or even acknowledging those: first and foremost the border issue with the all-too important maritime border determination agreement, second the Cham question which is still not acknowledged to be even an issue by the Greek side and finally the treatment of Albanian migrants living in large numbers in the southern neighboring country. These are followed by issues of the presence of the Greek minority in Albania and the political parties and developments that relate to it as well as to the heading of the Albanian orthodox Church by the Greek Archbishop Janullatos, a hot topic always in Albanian media and political rhetoric.
Almost half of Albanians mention that the priority number one issue if that of borders, with 49 percent of the answers. The second issues mostly cited is the Cham issue, with 29 percent, which has gotten significant scores also being mentioned as priority issue number with 21 percent and number 3 by 27 percent
Influence or threat
The overwhelming majority of Albanians name the United States of America as the country with most influence on Albania leaving only
21 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
2 percent of people that believe Greece has been the one yielding more influence. Almost one in five Albanians believe that Greece constitutes the largest threat to Albania’s security.
Half of the questioned sample believes that the Albanian government should pay the outmost attention and effort to develop the relations with Greece.
The majority of those asked, 53 percent, believe that the relations between Albanian and the Greek minority community in Albania have been and are still good or even very good. A strong group of almost 40 percent qualifies the relations as normal and only a very small group of 6 percent thinks the relations have problems.
Albanians in overwhelming numbers believe their government is doing a good job as far as respecting the minority rights according to settled international standards. Although some degree of division is present the tendency of the Albanian public is to think that Greece exerts influence in Albania through the Orthodox Church and even more so through the political parties that represents the Greek minority.
Ore people believe that Greece is still at war at least legally with Albania than those who say the contrary. Almost all Albanians think that the failure to resolve the Cham issue is a very large obstacle in the path of the normalization of Greek-Albanian relations.
People are very divided over the issue of whether Greek people support Albania in its European integration path while they curiously observe that they don’t think the Greek government is helping with this particular issue. Most Albanians do not know about the signed Treaty of Friendship between the two countries while a majority paradoxically believes the two countries have been at war with each other in the past.
22 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Albanians want to take credit for the economic development of Greece claiming that they have contributed to it while they also acknowledge that Greece has helped Albania as well during the transition.
Similar groups of 44 percent each, think relations between Albania and Greece on the economic field are good/very good and normal. A large share of the public, 40 percent, think the benefits of this relationship have been mutual while the others have a more skewed perceptions that Greece has benefited more or even exclusively from the economic interaction with Albania. A tenth of the sample believes that Albania has actually been the largest benefiting party.
The Albanian public demonstrates a high degree of awareness towards the economic and financial crisis in Greece expressing its evaluation of the crisis impact over the situation of Albanians immigrants three, the level of remittances and even the position of Greek businesses in Albania as negative.
Living together
Albanians have a high degree of direct experiences and knowledge about Greece given that 57 percent of them have visited Greece at least once and more than a quarter of those asked only in this poll have actually lived and worked in Greece for considerable amounts of time (equal or more than 2 years). Most of those who have lived in Greece describe their experience with fellow Greeks as normal or even good with smaller numbers reporting problems during their stay. Half of the respondents asked in this survey have close family and fiend currently residing in Greece, a testimony of the need for strengthening normal relations in the two countries.
23
“Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
FindingsGjetjet and dhe Analysis analiza
TheVlerësimi overall evaluation i përgjithshëm of relations i marrëdhënieve between ndërmjet Albania and Shqipërisë Greece yieldsdhe Greqisë ofron rezultatet thenë followingFindings vijim: 45% results: and e qytetarëve Analysis 45 percent besojnë of the se këto citizens marrëdhënie believe that janë these normale. Rreth 22% besojnë relationsse ato janëareFindings normal.në gjendje and 22 tëpercent Analysis keqe dhebelieve një they grup arei vogël in a prejbad shape5% thonë and sea janë në gjendje shumë tëThe keqe. overall Në mënyrëevaluation të ofngjashme relations 27% between besojnë Albania se marrëdhëniet and Greece yields janë thetë mirafollowing apo mjaftresults: të 45 small groupThe of 5 overall percent evaluation say that theyof relations are in a betweenvery bad Albaniashape. Similarlyand Greece yields the following results: 45 27 percentmirapercent të ndarëbelieve of the respektivisht thecitizens relations believe në are that21 in dhe thesea good 6%. relations or even are very normal. good 22divided percent believe they are in a bad shape andpercent a small of the group citizens of 5 believe percent that say these that relationsthey are arein a normal. very bad 22 shape. percent Similarly believe 27 they percent are in a bad respectively between 21 and 6 percent. believeshape the relations and a small are in group a good of or 5 even percent very say good that divided they respectivelyare in a very between bad shape. 21 and Similarly 6 percent. 27 percent believe the relations are in a good or even very good divided respectively between 21 and 6 percent. MarrëdhënietRelations between midis Greece Shqipërisë and Albaniadhe Greqisë Relations between Greece and Albania
5%5% 6% Very good 5%6%6% ShumëVery goodtë mira 1% Good 1% 1% TëGood mira 22% 21% 22% 21%21% Normal 22% NormaleNormal Bad Bad Very Tëbad këqija Very bad 45% Don’tShumë know të këqija 45% Don’t know 45% Nuk e di
The same symmetry with however interesting results is preserved when citizens are asked a bit more specificallyThe sameabout symmetry the relations with betweenhowever theinteresting respective results Albanian is preserved and Greek when governments. citizens are asked A larger a bit more majorityspecifically of 52 percent about respond the relations that the between relations the are respective normal in Albanian this case. and Even Greek more governments. so 27 percent A larger TheE samenjëjta simetri symmetrymajority vërehet of 52 with percent edhe however kurrespond njerëzit interesting that pyeten the relations results më specifikisht are is preservednormal për in this marrëdhëniet case. Even more ndërmjet so 27 percent qeverisëbelieve theseshqiptare relations dhe areasaj good greke. or veryNjë goodshumicë with prejthe numbers52% përgjigjen of those se that marrëdhëniet see bad relations janë in whenlower citizens ranks.believe are Indeed these asked onlyrelations a 12 bit percent are more good specificallysay or that very the good relations about with the thebetween relationsnumbers governments of those that are seebad badand relationsonly in normale në këtë rast. Nga ana tjetër, 27% besojnë se këto marrëdhënia janë të mira ose betweenan insignificant thelower respective ranks. 3 percent Indeed Albanian believe only 12 andthey percent are Greek very say governments. thatbad. theThese relations figures A larger between become governmentseven more telling are bad when and only shumë tëan mira insignificant me numrin 3 percent e atyre believe që i shohinthey are këto very marrëdhëniabad. These figures si të becomekëqija që even qëndron more telling në when majoritycompared of 52 percentwith the respondfollowing that question the relations on the relations are normal between in this the respective people hence nivele tëcompared ulëta. Në with të vërtetë the following vetëm 12%question thonë on se the marrëdhëniet relations between ndërmjet the qeveriverespective janë people të hence case. AlbaniansEven more and so Greeks. 27 percent believe these relations are good or very këqija dheAlbanians vetëm andnjë 3Greeks. përqindësh i papërfillshëm besojnë se ato janë shumë të këqija. Këto good with the numbers of those that see bad relations in lower ranks. Indeed only 12 percent say that the relations between governments 15 are bad and only an insignificant 3 percent believe they are very bad. 24
13 13
“Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
These figuresFindings become and even Analysis more telling when compared with the following questionThe overall on evaluation the relations of relations between between the respective Albania and peopleGreece yields the following results: 45 henceshifra Albanians bëhenpercent andedhe of Greeks. the më citizens treguese believe kur thatkrahasohen these relations me pyetjen are normal. pasardhëse 22 percent mbi believemarrëdhëniet they are in a bad ndërmjetshape shqiptarëve and a small dhe groupgrekëve, of 5pra percent ndërmjet say that popullsive they are të in të a dy very vendeve. bad shape. Similarly 27 percent believe the relations are in a good or even very good divided respectively between 21 and 6 percent. RelationsMarrëdhëniet between midis the GreekQeverisë government së Shqipërisë and the RelationsAlbaniandhe between të Greqisë government Greece and Albania
3% 5% 5% 6% ShumëVery good të mira 12% 3%1% TëGood mira 21% 22% 25% Normal Normale Bad Të këqija Very bad Findings and52% Analysis Shumë të këqija 45% Don’t know The overall evaluation of relations betweenNuk e Albaniadi and Greece yields the following results: 45
percent of the citizens believe that these relations are normal. 22 percent believe they are in a bad Theshape same and symmetry a small group with howeverof 5 percent interesting say that results they isare preserved in a very when bad citizensshape. areSimilarly asked 27 a bitpercent more specificallybelieve the relationsabout the are relations in a good between or even the very respective good divided Albanian respectively and Greek between governments. 21 and 6 percent.A larger Relations between Albanians and Greeks Marrëdhënietmajority of 52 percentmidis shqipëtarëve respond that the dhe relations grekëve are normal in this case. Even more so 27 percent believeRelations these relations between are goodGreece or andvery Albaniagood with the numbers of those that see bad relations in lower ranks. Indeed only 12 percent say that the relations between governments are bad and only an insignificant5% 3 6%percent believe they are very bad. These figures become even more telling when compared with5% the following6% questionShumë Veryon the goodtë relationsmira between the respective people hence Albanians and1% Greeks. 1% TëGood mira 21% 23% 22% 24% NormaleNormal TëBad këqija
ShumëVery badtë këqija 41% 45% NukDon’t e di know
The same symmetry with however interesting results is preserved when citizens are asked a bit more Në këtë specificallyrast vetëm about 41% thebesojnë relations se marrëdhënietbetween the respective janë normale, Albanian25 duke and sinjalizuar Greek governments. një rënie A larger prej 10 majoritypikësh krahasuarof 52 percent me respond vlerësimin that thee dhënërelations për are marrëdhëniet normal in this case.ndërmjet Even moreqeverive. so 27 percent Kështu, believemë tepër these njerëz relations besojnë are good se marrëdhënietor very good with ndërmjet the numbers njerëzve of those janë that të këqijasee bad ose relations in shumë tëlower këqija, ranks. një Indeed total prej only 27%.12 percent Në anën say tjetër,that the 30% relations besojnë between se marrëdhëniet governments janë are badose and only an insignificant 3 percent believe they are very bad. These figures become even more telling when të mira ose shumë të mira. Duket se ekziston një mospërputhje në perceptimin e compared with the following question on the relations between the respective people hence qytetarëve,Albanians duke andqenë Greeks. se ata besojnë që marrëdhëniet ndërmjet popullsive janë më të këqija se marrëdhëniet ndërmjet qeverive përkatëse.
13
16
13
Relations between the Greek government and the Albanian government 3% 5% Very good 12% 3% Good 25% Normal Bad 52% Very bad Don't know
Relations between Albanians and Greeks 5% 6% Very good 1% Good 23% 24% Normal “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” Bad In this case only 41 percent41% believe theVery relations bad are normal, signaling a ten point decrease comparedDon't to the know evaluation given to the governments’ relation. More people in this case believe the relations between the two people are bad or even very bad, a total of 27 percent.In this On case the only other 41 sidepercent 30 percentbelieve thebelieve relations the relationsare normal, signaling a ten point decrease are either comparedgood or veryto the good. evaluation There given seems to the to governments’ be a discrepancy relation. in More people in this case believe the relations between the two people are bad or even very bad, a total of 27 percent. On the other side the perception of citizens with them believing that the relation 30 percent believe the relations are either good or very good. There seems to be a discrepancy in between thethe Albanianperception people of citizens and with the them Greek believing people that is worsethe relation that between the Albanian people and the relationthe betweenGreek people respective is worse that governments. the relation between respective governments.
SaHow të rëndësishmeimportant are janë relations marrëdhëniet between Albaniamidis How important are relations between Shqipërisëand Greece?dhe Greqisë Albania and Greece? 5% 5% ShumëVery important të rëndësishme 1% 1% 23% 19%19% 23% TëImportant rëndësishme
PakSomewhat të rëndësishmeimportant AspakNot important të rëndësishme 53% Don't know 53% Nuk e di
A full majority of 53 percent vests the relations between Albania and Greece with the due significance saying that they are “important.” 23 percent believe these relations to be very A full majority of 53 percent vests the relations between Albania and Një shumicë prej 53% i vlerëson marrëdhëniet ndërmjet Shqipërisë dhe Serbisë me Greece with the due significance saying that they are “important.” 14 rëndësinë e duhur duke thënë se ato janë të ‘’rëndësishme’’. Rreth 23% besojnë se këto 23 percent believe these relations to be very important. 19 percent marrëdhënie janë shumë të rëndësishme ndërkohë që 19% thonë se kanë pak rëndësi dhe sayvetëm that they 5% besojnë carry little se nuk importance kanë aspak rëndësi.while only 5 percent believe that these relations carry no significance whatsoever. Marrëdhëniet midis Shqipërisë dhe Greqisë në dekadën e fundit krahasuar me periudha 26 më të hershme 4% 5% Shumë të mira 2% 18% Të mira 30% Normale
Të këqija
Shumë të këqija 41% Nuk e di
Nga krahasimi i marrëdhënieve ndërmjet të dy vendeve me periudha të mëparshme, shumica e qytetarëve shqiptarë duket se besojnë se nuk ka patur shumë ndryshime, me 41% që thonë se kanë mbetur njësoj. Megjithatë, një pjesë e konsiderueshme prej 35% besojnë se dekadat e fundit marrëdhëniet janë përmirësuar në shumë nivele, dhe vetëm 22% thonë se ka patur përkeqësim.
17
Sa të rëndësishme janë marrëdhëniet midis Shqipërisë dhe Greqisë
5% Shumë të 1% rëndësishme 19% 23% Të rëndësishme
Pak të rëndësishme Aspak të rëndësishme 53% Nuk e di
Findings and Analysis Një shumicë prej 53% i vlerëson marrëdhëniet ndërmjet Shqipërisë dhe Serbisë me rëndësinëThe e duhuroverall duke evaluation thënë ofse relations ato janë between të ‘’rëndësishme’’. Albania and RrethGreece 23% yields besojnë the following se këto results: 45 marrëdhëniepercent janë of shumë the citizens të rëndësishme believe that thesendërkohë relations që 19%are normal. thonë se22 kanë percent pak believe rëndësi they dhe are in a bad important.“Albanianvetëm 5% Greek shape19important. besojnë relationspercent and se a19fromsay nuksmall percent thatthe kanë group eyesthey sayaspakof carrytheof that 5Albanian rëndësi. percent littlethey importancecarrypublic say –little thatperceptions importancetheywhile are only2013” in 5whilea percentvery only bad believe 5shape. percent that Similarly believe these 27 that percent these relations carrybelieverelations no significance the carry relations no significancewhatsoever. are in a good whatsoever. or even very good divided respectively between 21 and 6 percent. Marrëdhëniet midis Shqipërisë dhe Greqisë Relations between Albania and Greece in the Relationsnë dekadënRelations betweenRelations e fundit between Albania between krahasuar Greece and Albania Greece me and periudha and Albania in theGreece in the last decade compared to previous years last decadelast comparedmë decade të hershme comparedto previous to years previous years 4% 5%5%4%6% Very good 4% 5% 5% MuchShumë better të miraMuch better 2% 1% 18% 2% Good 18% 2%18% BetterTë mira Better 22% 21% 30% 30% Normal 30% SameNormale Same Bad WorseTë këqija Worse Very bad MuchShumë worse të këqijaMuch worse 41%41% 45%41% Don’t know Don’tNuk e knowdi Don’t know
The same symmetry with however interesting results is preserved when citizens are asked a bit more specifically about the relations between the respective Albanian and Greek governments. A larger Comparing Comparingthe relations the between relations the between two countries the two from countries earlier from periods earlier to periodsthe ones to that the haveones that have Nga krahasimimajority i ofmarrëdhënieve 52 percent respond ndërmjet that the të relationsdy vendeve are normal me periudhain this case. të Even mëparshme, more so 27 percent Comparingexisted these theexisted last relations decade,these last thebetween decade, majority thethe of two majorityAlbanian countries of citizens Albanian from seem citizens earlier to believe seem thatto believe not much that hasnot much has shumica ebelieve qytetarëve these shqiptarërelations are duket good se or besojnë very good se nukwith ka the patur numbers shumë of ndryshime,those that see me bad 41% relations in periodschanged to with thechanged 41 ones percent with that saying41 percent have that existed sayingthey have that these been they the lasthave same. decade,been However the same. the a considerableHowever a considerable apart of 35 apart of 35 që thonë lowerse kanë ranks. mbetur Indeed njësoj. only 12Megjithatë, percent say një that pjesë the relationse konsiderueshme between governments prej 35% besojnë are bad and only majoritypercent ofbelieve Albanianpercent that believe incitizens the thatlast decadesseemin the lastto relations believedecades have thatrelations improved not havemuch in improved varioushas degrees,in various with degrees, only 22 with only 22 se dekadatan einsignificant fundit marrëdhëniet 3 percent believe janë përmirësuar they are very në bad. shumë These nivele, figures dhe become vetëm even 22% more thonë telling when percent sayingpercent that theresaying has that been there deterioration. has been deterioration. se ka paturcompared përkeqësim. with the following question on the relations between the respective people hence RelationsMarrëdhënietAlbanians between and Greeks.midis Albania Shqipërisë and Greece dhe Greqisëin the next five Relations betweenRelationsnë pesë Albania vitetbetweenyears e ardhshme and Albania Greece and Greece in the nextin five the years next five years
9% 9% 9% 10% 10% 10% Will improveDo Willtë përmirësohen improve 17 Will be the same 44% 44%Will be theDo tësame mbeten të 44% Will get njëjtaworseWill get worse 37% 37% Do të përkeqësohen Don't know 37% Don't know Nuk e di
As for the expectationsAs for the expectations for the future, for Albaniansthe future, remain Albanians optimists. remain 44 optimists. percent of44 the percent citizens of thesay citizensthat say that the relationsthe between relations Greece between and Greece Albania and will Albania definitely will improve definitely in improvethe future in whilethe future 37 percent while 37 percent thinkSa ithat përket theythink willpritshmërive that remain they willmore remainpër or lesstë more ardhmenthe same.or less Only shqiptarëtthe same.one in Only tenmbeten citizens 27one in optimistë. tenbelieves citizens that Rrethbelieves the relation 44% that thee relation will worsen and a similar 9 percent of the sample does not answer this question. willqytetarëve worsen and thonë a similar se 9 marrëdhënietpercent of the samplendërmjet does Greqisënot answer dhe this Shqipërisë question. me siguri do të Importantpërmirësohen issuesImportant nëand të order issues ardhmen of and relevance orderndërkohë of relevance që 37% mendojnë se ato do të mbeten pak a shumë njësoj. Vetëm një në dhjetë qytetarë beson se marrëdhënia do të përkeqësohet dhe në Askedmënyrë to identify tëAsked ngjashme and to identify rank 9% according e and kampionit rank to according their nuk importance i përgjigjet to their importancethe kësaj issues pyetjeje. that the factorissues verythat heavilyfactor very in the heavily in the relation betweenrelation the between two countries the two Albanian countries citizens Albanian pick citizens three main pick problemsthree main to problems be addressed: to be theaddressed: the borders issue,borders the Cam issue, issue the and Cam the issue treatment and the of treatment Albanian ofmigrants Albanian in migrantsGreece. These in Greece. are followed These are followed by issues thatby concernissues that the concern Greek minority the Greek in Albaniaminority as in well Albania as the as Presencewell as the of Presence Archbishop of ArchbishopJanullatos Janullatos13 Çështje tëAs rëndësishme the Head of the sipas Orthodox rradhës Church. As the Head of the Orthodox Church. Të pyetur të identifikojnë dhe rendisin sipas rëndësisë çështjet që ndikojnë tek marrëdhëniet ndërmjet të dy vendeve, qytetarët zgjedhin tri probleme kryesore që duhen15 15 adresuar: çështja e kufijve, çështja çame dhe trajtimi i emigrantëve shqiptarë në Greqi. Këto
ndiqen nga çështje që lidhen me minoritetin grek në Shqipëri si edhe prania e kryepeshkopit Janullatos si kryetar i Kishës Ortodokse.
Çështja më e rëndësishme që përmendet më shpesh dhe që ndikon tek marrëdhëniet ndërmjet Greqisë dhe Shqipërisë është ajo e kufijve. Ky perceptim publik është influencuar shumë nga mbulimi mediatik i kohëve të fundit mbi marrëveshjen për kufirin bregdetar (për përcaktimin e kufijve përkatës detarë), një marrëveshje e nënshkruar nga Bakojanis dhe Basha dhe që është konsideruar antikushtetuese dhe për rrjedhojë u deklarua e pavlefshme në Shqipëri nga Gjykata Kushtetuese. Termat narrativë në të cilët kjo çështje u trajtua përfshinin fjalë të tilla si ‘’tradhti’’, ‘’shitje e detit’’, ‘’pabesi’’, ‘’vjedhje e detit’’ etj. Gjenerali në pension që e denoncoi këtë marrëveshje pasi ishte e paligjshme, Myslym Pashaj u zgjodh si personi më influencues i vitit nga një sondazh televiziv.45
45 Top Channel: 2010. Shih gjithashtu “ Why Albanians picked Myslym Pashaj as the person of the year” http://www.people.al/pse‐shqiptaret‐zgjodhen‐myslim‐pashen‐personazhi‐i‐vitit‐2010.html 18
“Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” changed with 41 percent saying that they have been the same. However a considerable apart of 35 percent believe that in the last decades relations have improved in various degrees, with only 22 percent saying that there has been deterioration.
As for the expectations for the future, Albanians remain optimists. 44 percent of the citizens say that the relations between Greece and Albania will definitely improve in the future while 37 percent think that they will remain more or less the same. Only one in ten citizens believes that the relation will worsen and a similar 9 percent of the sample does not answer this question.
Important issues and order of relevance
Asked to identify and rank according to their importance the issues that factor very heavily in the relation between the two countries Albanian citizens pick three main problems to be addressed: the borders issue, the Cam issue and the treatment of Albanian migrants in Greece. These are followed by issues that concern the Greek minority in Albania as well as the Presence of Archbishop Janullatos As the Head of the Orthodox Church.
The most frequently cited priority issue number 1 that affects the relations between Greece and Albania is the issue of borders. This public perception has been heavily influenced by the recent media coverage that the maritime border agreement (defining respective sea borders) received, an agreement signed by Bakojanis and Basha and which was deemed unconstitutional and hence rendered null in Albania by the Constitutional Court. The narrative terms in which this issue was portrayed included keywords such as “betrayal” “treason”, “selling of the sea”, “stealing of the sea”, etc. The retired Army general that denounced the agreement for being illegal, Myslym Pashaj, was
28 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” chosen the most influential person of the year by a television poll. 45
Picked as Picked as Picked as priority priority priority issue issue issue Opons nr 1 nr 2 nr 3 Border issues 46% 19% 20% Greek minority 10% 25% 12% Çam Issue 21% 29% 27% Presence of Archbishop Janullatos As the Head of the Orthodox Church 2% 7% 9% Treatment of Albania migrants in Greece 19% 19% 30%
The context in which the Greek minority in Albania is mentioned has less to do with their traditional presence especially in southern communities and more to do with their representation by political forces, their alleged connection with Greek politicians and the issue of Greek pensions. Indeed the answers provided to another question reflect very well that Albanians estimate the simple daily relations between Greek minority and other Albanian citizens as optimal.
One could convincingly argue that the issue of treatment of migrants in Greece would have had more prominence should the survey had been conducted in the 90s. Although many problems are present nowadays, the Albanian migrants have managed to complete a rather successful process of integration leading thus to fewer incidents and less tension with their host country in general. This has also been reflected back to public opinion.
Out of sporadic answers given for other issues, very few of them mention the law of war or trade exchanges between thetwo countries.
45. Top Channel: 2010. See also “ Why Albanians picked Myslym Pashaj as the person of the year” http://www.people.al/pse-shqiptaret-zgjodhen-myslim- pashen-personazhi-i-vitit-2010.html 29 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Setting the relations in a comparative context, Albanians donot believe that the influence exerted by Greece on their country is substantial. Indeed asked of the country which has had influence on Albania in the last two decades more than half of the respondents, 54.3 percent identify the most influential country to be the United States of America followed by 29 percent that identify the EU as the one exerting most influence. Almost 5 percent of the answers pick up Italy as country with great influence in Albania and only 2 percent believe the most influential one has been Greece.
This result should not be mistaken as a denial of influence whatsoever. As it is revealed by others answers Albanians believe that Greece does exert influence on Albania through minority political parties, the Orthodox Church head, etc. However, they believe that compared to other countries or entities such as USA or the EU this influence is smaller.
Which of the below mentioned countries has had the most influence on the Albanian government in the last 20 years? USA 54.3%
EU 29.0%
Italy 4.6%
No country 2.6%
Don't know 2.1%
Greece 2.0%
Serbia 1.7%
Germany 1.4%
Turkey 1.0%
Austria 1.0%
Other 0.2%
‐5% 15% 35% 55%
30 A different panorama is given by answers that are given in relation to identifying threats. Although almost half of the respondents feel safe and do not believe that any country represents a threat to Albania out of the 54.6 percent that feel such a threat, the largest subgroup believes that the threat is indeed Greece. 18.5 percnet of the citizens picked Greece as the country that represents a threat to Albania followed by 17 percent who pick Serbia and 14 percent do not have an answer. A very small group of 2 percent pick the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (commonly referred in Albania as simply Macedonia) to be such a threat.
Is there a country which represents a threat to Albania? No country is a threat to Albania 46.4%
Greece 18.5%
Serbia 17.2%
Don't know 14.1%
Macedonia 1.9%
Other 0.8%
Italy 0.6%
Montenegro 0.4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
17
Which of the below mentioned countries has had the most influence on the Albanian government in the last 20 years? USA 54.3%
EU 29.0%
Italy 4.6%
No country 2.6%
Don't know 2.1%
Greece 2.0%
Serbia 1.7%
Germany 1.4%
“Albanian GreekTurkey relations1.0% from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” Austria 1.0% A different panorama is given by answers that are given in relation to identifyingOther threats.0.2% Although almost half of the respondents feel safe and do not‐5% believe that 15% any country 35% represents 55% a threat to Albania out of the 54.6 percent that feel such a threat, the largest subgroupA different believes panorama that theis given threat by answers is indeed that Greece. are given 18.5 in relationpercnet to of identifying threats. Although the almostcitizens half picked of the respondentsGreece as the feel countrysafe and thatdo not represents believe that a anythreat country represents a threat to to AlbaniaAlbania outfollowed of the 54.6by 17 percent percent that who feel suchpick aSerbia threat, and the largest14 percent subgroup believes that the threat do notis indeed have Greece. an answer. 18.5 percnet A very ofsmall the citizens group pickedof 2 percent Greece as pick the countrythe that represents a threat Formerto Albania Yugoslav followed Republic by 17 percent of Macedonia who pick (commonlySerbia and 14 referred percent do in not have an answer. A very Albaniasmall as group simply of 2 Macedonia) percent pick to the be Former such aYugoslav threat. Republic of Macedonia (commonly referred in Albania as simply Macedonia) to be such a threat.
Is there a country which represents a threat to Albania? No country is a threat to Albania 46.4%
Greece 18.5%
Serbia 17.2%
Don't know 14.1%
Macedonia 1.9%
Other 0.8%
Italy 0.6%
Montenegro 0.4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 represents no importance at all and 17 10 represents maximum importance, citizens evaluated the degree of effort and commitment that the Albanian government should dedicate to the relations with each of its neighbor countries. As 31 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” the graph shows, the majority of Albanians believe that the utmost importance should be devoted to the relations with Kosovo, followed by Italy and then Greece. In general Albanian citizens are conscious of the importance of Albanian Greek relations and On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 represents no importance at all and 10 represents maximum mostimportance, of their citizens answers evaluated fall theon degreethe 8-10 of effort range and which commitment indicates that high the Albanian government degreeshould dedicate of importance. to the relations Less than with a eachfifth of ofits the neighbor sample countries. believe Asthese the graph shows, the relationsmajority of Albaniansdeserve less believe than that average the utmost attention importance (scale should 1-4). be devoted to the relations with Kosovo, followed by Italy and then Greece. In general Albanian citizens are conscious of the Relationsimportance ofwith Albanian Serbia, Greek Montenegro relations and and most Macedonia of their answers are placed fall on onthe 8‐10 range which aindicates second high row, degree with of varying importance. degrees Less than of importancea fifth of the sample associated believe by these relations deserve citizens.less than average attention (scale 1‐4) . Relations with Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia are placed on a second row, with varying degrees of importance associated by citizens .
What importance should the Albanian government devote to the improvement of relations with below mentioned countries
Serbia
1 Montenegro 2 3 Kosovo 4 5 Italy 6 7 Macedonia 8 9 Greece 10
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
One important question had as an objective to assess the evaluation that Albanians had of the relationship32 that has existed between Albanians and the historical Greek minority communities focused in the south of Albania. It is crucial to highlight the fact that more than half of the interviewed citizens believed this relationship has been and continues to be good or very good. A total of 53.3 percent had a positive evaluation of the relation out of which 31.6 percent believe it to be “good” and 21.7 percent “very good”. Moreover 37.5 percent deem the relation as normal and only 7.2 percent believe this relationship has been bad or very bad with the latter representing a statistically invalid group of 1 percent.
18
“Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
One important question had as an objective to assess the evaluation that Albanians had of the relationship that has existed between Albanians and the historical Greek minority communities focused in the south of Albania. It is crucial to highlight the fact that more than half of the interviewed citizens believed this relationship has been and continues to be good or very good. A total of 53.3 percent had a positive evaluation of the relation out of which 31.6 percent believe it to be “good” and 21.7 percent “very good”. Moreover 37.5 percent deem the relation as normal and only 7.2 percent believe this relationship has been bad or very bad with the latter representing a statistically invalid group of 1 percent.
Relations between Albanians and the Greek minority living in Albania
Normal 37.5%
Good 31.6%
Very good 21.7%
Bad 6.2%
Don't know 2.0%
Very bad 1.0%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
33 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Perceptions
Citizens were presented with a series of statements that represent some assertions, either facts or general misconceptions related to the historical as well as current state of relation between the Albanian and Greek government or the respective people in order for them to express their evaluation of the assertions as either true or false. This exercise was done with the objective to pinpoint and highlight the existence as well as the scale of several misconceptions, strong perceptions and judgments that are pervasive in the Albanian public opinion. This eventually would lead to a series of recommendations to dissipate the misconceptions with the purpose of improving the knowledge and perception on each other. As an explanation to the fact that Albanians judge their relationship with the Greek minority living in Albania as generally good or normal stands the fact that a majority of Albanians are convinced that their government follows and respects the international standards when it comes to the treatment of this minority. Hence percent 78 percent of those asked had this belief while only 9 percent said that the government did not respect thee standards. Almost one in ten respondents (12 percent) could not answer whether the assertion was true or false. Almost half of the citizens asked believe that Greece intervenes in Albania’s internal affairs through the Head of the Orthodox Church. 45 percent of the sample said that they believed that some degree of influence and interference is exerted through the Archbishop Janullatos as the head of one of the most traditional Christian denominations in Albania while 32 percent were against this statement believing this to be false. A considerable number of respondents which make up almost a quarter of the sample (23 percent) did not have an opinion on whether this statement was true or false indicating a suspicion or even general confusion about the assertion. 34 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Even more pronounced seems to be the perception among Albanian citizens of Greek interference in Albania through the means of using the Greek minority. Hence this time more than half of the sample, 54 percent of those asked, believe that ‘Greece intervenes in Albania’s internal affairs through the Greek minority’, while only 26 percent think this is not true. Again a large number of respondents 21 percent do not know the answer to the question indicating suspicion or confusion. One issue that stands in the way of a normal relationship between Albania and Greece and exerts a major influence on Albanian public opinion is that of “The law of war.” Hence despite the fact that the law of war has been abrogated by the Greek government even before the communist regime fell in Albania, albeit not ratified by the Greek parliament, a clear majority of Albanian citizens, 61 percent of Albanians believe that Greece is still in a state of war with Albania. Only 17 percent of respondents say that the two countries are not at war while again a fifth of the sample (22 percent) does not know whether they are or not. It is important to be highlighted that in their daily life Albanians can see that they are not at actual war with a country but this assertion comes directly as a reaction to the highlymediatized item of the law of war. The situation becomes even more complex by the low percentage of citizens that are aware of the Treaty of Friendship and Collaboration that exist between the two countries since 1998. Only 36 percent of citizens believe the existence of this Treaty while a similar share of the sample does not know about it at all. Even more so a considerable number of citizens, almost one third of the sample (28 percent) are convinced that such a treaty indeed does not exist. The evaluation of the war relationship clearly extends to the past with a majority of Albanians saying that Greeks and Albanians indeed have fought against each other, claimed by 54 percent. In the same time it is very interesting that a considerable 36 percent say that Albanians and Greeks never fought against each other while a tenth of the sample does not have information on the issue.
35 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
The other big elephant in the room is the Cam issue and the persistence of the Greek side to treat this as a non-issue seems to aggravate the prospects or finding middle ground. In the perception of the overwhelming majority of Albanian citizens, more than 80 percent “the failure to resolve the Cam issue is a huge obstacle for improving relations between Albania and Greece.” Only 12 percent do not believe in this assertion while a minority in this case of 7 percent does not have an opinion. When it comes to the perspective of Albania’s integration within the European Union, the Albanian public opinion is fragmented and generally skeptical about Greek support. Hence when asked if their fellow citizens in Greece would support the European integration of Albania, Albanian themselves seem divided in almost there equal parts between those who believe in the Greek support, those who are afraid of a negative relation and those who don’t know. With a very small advantage of 37 percent Albanians are hopeful that Greek citizens would support Albanian E integration while 34 percent believe that Greek citizens do not support this aspiration of Albania. 30 percent is the group that does not have a clear opinion on this matter. Even grimmer seems to be the perception of whether the Greek government has been o help to Albania in its effort of European integration. In this case a majority of citizens , 46 percent, believe that this has not been in the case while 35 percent believe that the Greek government has helped. 18 percent do not know the answer. Albanian citizens think very highly of their contribution to the Greek economy with a majority of 82 percent of those asked saying that it is true that Albanians have helped the Greek economy, and only 13 percent saying that this is not true. The evaluation that Albanians have for the contribution of the immigrants in Greece but also of the perceived gain that Greek investment and trade has in Albania is quite significant. Only 5 percent of the sample does not have an opinion on the statement. 36 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Eventually it is quite striking that despite negative feelings and strong perceptions a considerable majority of Albanians believe that indeed Greece has helped Albania in the last 20 years. 56 percent of citizens believe that such help is a reality while 37 percent do not think so and 7 percent cannot make up a clear answer. The fact that more than a half of citizens evaluate the Greek assistance as positive in the difficult and decisive years of the Albanian political and economic transition is an important building block of a more constructive relation in the future.
Do you agree with the statements below:
The Albanian government follows international standards in dealing with the Greek minorities
Greece intervenes in Albania's internal affairs through the Head of the Orthodox Church
Greece intervenes in Albania's internal affairs through the Greek minority
Greece is still in a state of war with Albania
The failure to resolve the cam issue is a huge obstacle for improving relations between Albania and Greece
Albania and Greece have signed a friendship agreement Yes
Greek citizens support Albania's No membership in the EU Don't know The Greek government has supported the process of Albanian integration in the EU
Albanians have helped the Greek economy
Greece has helped Albania in the last 20 years
Albanians and Greeks never fought against each other
0% 50% 100%
37
21
“Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
The economy of a relationship
Albanians evaluate the economic relationship between Greece andThe Albania economy in of rather a relationship positive terms with 44 percent deeming this relation as normal and another 44 percent saying that it is in fact goodAlbanians ( 35 percent)evaluate the or economicvery good relationship (a smaller between group Greeceof 9 percent). and Albania A in rather positive terms with 44 percent deeming this relation as normal and another 44 percent saying that it is in fact good small minority of 7 percent think that the relationship is bad while ( 35 percent) or very good (a smaller group of 9 percent). A small minority of 7 percent think that the anotherrelationship 5 percent is bad while does another not know. 5 percent does not know.
Economic relations between Greece and Albania
Normal 44%
Good 35%
Very good 9%
Bad 6%
Don't know 5%
Very bad 1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
However when one digs deeper in the perception and asks citizens to point out those who have benefited the most out of the economic However when one digs deeper in the perception and asks citizens to point out those who have ties the perceptions shows interesting and considerable trends of benefited the most out of the economic ties the perceptions shows interesting and considerable beingtrends skewed. of being Hence skewed. while Hence 40 while percent 40 percent seem toseem believe to believe that thatboth both countries have been countriesmore or lesshave equal been beneficiaries, more or less 29 percentequal beneficiaries, think that in fact 29 Greecepercent has benefitted more than thinkAlbania that while in fact an even Greece more has aggressive benefitted perception more is shownthan Albaniaby 10 percent, while those that believe that anthe even economic more aggressiveties have benefitted perception exclusively is shown Greece. by 10 Onlypercent, 9 percent those believe that Albania has thatbenefitted believe more that and the an economicinsignificant ties number, have just 3 benefittedpercent, place Albaniaexclusively as the sole beneficiary. Another 9 percent cannot evaluate the statement and answer that they ‘don’t know’. 38
22
“Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Greece. Only 9 percent believe that Albania has benefitted more and an insignificant number, just 3 percent, place Albania as the sole beneficiary. Another 9 percent cannot evaluate the statement and answer that they ‘don’t know’.
In terms of economic relations between Albania and Greece: Both countries have benefited 40% the same
Greece has benefited more than 29% Albania
Only Greece has benefited from 10% them
Albania has benefited more than 9% Greece
Don't know 9%
Albania is the only one to have 3% benefited from them
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Albanians remain aware of the ramifications that the economic and financialAlbanians crisis remain in their aware southern of the ramificationsneighbor has that even the economicon the three and veryfinancial crisis in their southern importantneighbor issues: has even treatment on the andthree general very important situation issues: of immigrants, treatment and general situation of immigrants, remittances and Greek investment in Albania. The public opinion in Albania stands remittancesunited in their and judgmentGreek investment of the negative in Albania. impact thatThe the public crisis opinionhas had on all three however the in Albanianegative stands impact unitedperceived in ontheir the judgmentGreek investment of the in negative Albania seems impact smaller. Hence 85 percent say thatthat the this crisis crisis has has hadindeed on had all athree negative however impact onthe the negative situation ofimpact their fellow Albanians who reside perceivedas immigrants on the in Greek Greece investment while only 8 in percent Albania do seems not see smaller. such a negative Hence impact. 85 percent say that this crisis has indeed had a negative impact on Similarly 85 percent believe that it’s the crisis which has been after the decline in remittance saying the thatsituation it has had of atheir negative fellow impact Albanians on the amountwho reside of money as immigrants sent back home. in Only 10 percent say that such an impact on remittances doe s not exits. 39 Most importantly, 68 percent of Albanians believe that the crisis has negatively affected the Greek investments in Albania, however here a more considerable share of 19 percent, almost a fifth of the sample, believe that the Greek investment in Albania has not been harmed by the crisis.
23
“Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Greece while only 8 percent do not see such a negative impact.
Similarly 85 percent believe that it’s the crisis which has been after the decline in remittance saying that it has had a negative impact on the amount of money sent back home. Only 10 percent say that such an impact on remittances doe s not exits.
Most importantly, 68 percent of Albanians believe that the crisis has negatively affected the Greek investments in Albania, however here a more considerable share of 19 percent, almost a fifth of the sample, believeNegat thative e ffethects Greekof the cu rrinvestmentent economic cr inisis Albania in Greece onhas: not been harmed by the crisis.
Negative effects of the current economic crisis in Greece on:
The situaon of Albanian immigrants working in Greece
The situation of Albanian immigrants working in Greece
Money sent home by AlbanianMoney immigr ansentts wo homerking by Albanian in Greece immigrants working in Greece Yes Yes No No Don't know
Greek investments in Albania Greek investments in Albania
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Close contacts 40 In a series of questions establishing how close are the human contacts and what has come out of the Albanian show a very high degree of close contacts with Greece having been there on a visits with different purposes, having family or finds residing there or even having lived and worked there themselves for years. 57 percent of Albanians have visited Greece at least just once. Only 43 percent of those asked said that they had never been to Greece.
Have you ever been to Greece?
Ye 43% s 57% No
Out of those that have been visiting Greece the majority has done so for the purpose of meeting their family, relatives or friends. Hence 29 percent report the purpose of their visit to be this one. However equally large groups of 27 percent have been there to work or to spend their holidays. A 24
Efektet negative të krizës ekonomike aktuale në Greqi mbi
Situata e emigrantëve shqiptarë që punojnë në Greqi
Paratë që dërgohen në Shqipëri nga emigrantët që punojnë në Po Greqi Jo
Nuk e di Investimet greke në Shqipëri
“Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
Close contacts 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
In a series of questions establishing how close are the human contactsKontakte and Miqësore what has come out of the Albanian show a very highNë degree një seri of pyetjeshclose contacts që tregojnë with Greecesa afër janëhaving kontaktet been there njerëzore on dhe atë që ka dalë nga a visitspërgjigjet with differente shqiptarëve purposes, tregojnë having një shkallëfamily shumëor finds të residing lartë kontaktesh të ngushta me thereGreqinë, or even kanë having qenë atje lived në and vizita worked me qëllime there të themselves ndryshme, duke for pasur familje apo gjejnë years.banim 57 percentatje apo edheof Albanians duke jetuar have dhe visited kane punuar Greece aty at për least veten just e tyre për vite me radhë. 57 once.% eOnly shqiptarëve 43 percent kanë of vizituar those Greqinë asked saidtë paktën that theynjë herë. had Dhe never vetëm 43 % e të anketuarve beenthanë to Greece. se ata kurrë nuk kishin qenë në Greqi.
AH avekeniHave you qenë you ever ndonjëherëever be beenen to toG në reeceG reeceGreqi?? ?
PoYeYes s 43%43% 57%5757%% JoNoNo
Prej atyre që kanë vizituar Greqinë shumica e ka bërë këtë me qëllim të takimit të familjare Outtë of tyre, those të afërmvethat have apo been miqve. visiting Prandaj Greece 29 % tregojnë the majority se qëllimi has i vizitës së tyre ka qenë ky. done so for the purpose of meeting their family, relatives or 27 friends. Hence 29 percent report the purpose of their visit to be this one. However equally large groups of 27 percent have been there to work or to spend their holidays. A smaller group of 4 percent has been in Greece for medical reasons, to seek treatment in Greek hospitals. A tenth of the sample do not say what has been
41 “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” smaller group of 4 percent has been in Greece for medical reasons, to seek treatment in Greek theirhospitals. visit’s purpose.A tenth of the sample do not say what has been their visit’s purpose.
If you have ever been to Greece, what was the purpose of your visit/stay there
To meet parents/relatives living 29% there
Work 27%
Holidays 27%
Don’t know 10%
To receive medical treatment 4%
Other 3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
A largeA large group group ofof thosethose interviewed interviewed report thatreport they havethat spent they at haveleast two spent years atliving and working in Greece n the last two decades that correspond o Albania’s transition period. Hence 26 percent of leastthose two interviewed years living , corresponding and working to a quarter in Greece of the sample,n the havelast beentwo ordecades are currently residents in that Greececorrespond and have oworked Albania’s there. Thistransition subgroup hasperiod. been hence Hence submerged 26 percent more deeply of in the Greek thosesociety interviewed and their experience , corresponding is very beneficial to a to quarter be studied of as the it reveals sample, perceptions have that have been formed also due to their personal contacts and their direct life and not only through indirect beeninfluence or are of currently peers or media. residents in Greece and have worked there. This subgroup has been hence submerged more deeply in the Greek society and their experience is very beneficial to be studied as it reveals perceptions that have been formed also due to their personal contacts and their direct life and not only through indirect influence of peers or media.
42
25
“Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013”
During the last 20 years, have you worked or live in Greece for longer than two years?
26% Yes
No
74%
Out of this group of citizens that have spent more than 2 years in Greece it is important to note that Out aof majority this group of them of citizens asses their that personal have spentexperience more and than their 2 yearsrelationship in with Greeks during this Greecestay it as is good important or very goodto note in a thattotal aof majority 45 percent. of 28them percent asses say their that the relationship was normal personalwhile experienceonly 6 percent and describe their relationshipthe experience ofwith this Greeks relationship during as thisbad or very bad. This is another stay signas good of the or successful very good rate inof aintegration total of 45of Albanianpercent. migrants 28 percent in Greece say as they demonstrate normal that orthe good relationship relations with was the normal Greek citizen.while onlyOne should6 percent keep describe in mind tthe though that the question does experiencenot asses of the this relationship relationship of immigrants as bad orwith very the bad.Greek This institutions is another such as immigration authorities sign orof Greek the successfulpolice. rate of integration of Albanian migrants in Greece as they demonstrate normal or good relations with the If you have lived for more than two years in Greek citizen. GreeceOne should how wouldkeep in you mind describe t though your that relations the question does not asses the relationshipwith Greeks during of yourimmigrants stay? with the Greek institutions suchGood as immigration authorities or31% Greek police.
Normal 28%
Don't know 21%
Very good 14% 43
Bad 5%
Veru bad 1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Finally there is a question which is a clear, simple reminder of the close relation between the two people and an even more important reminder of the importance that relation for the Albanian side. Almost half of the respondents of this survey show that at least one of their family members’ lives in Greece for the moment with 45 percent answering yes. Even though we should jeep in mi tat 26
During the last 20 years, have you worked or live in Greece for longer than two years?
During the last 20 years, have you worked or live in Greece for longer than two years? 26% Yes
No 26% 74% Yes
No 74%
Out of this group of citizens that have spent more than 2 years in Greece it is important to note that a majority of them asses their personal experience and their relationship with Greeks during this
stay as good or very good in a total of 45 percent. 28 percent say that the relationship was normal while only 6 percent describe the experience of this relationship as bad or very bad. This is another sign of the successful rate of integration of Albanian migrants in Greece as they demonstrate normal orOut good of thisrelations group with of citizens the Greek that citizen.have spent One more should than keep 2 years in mind in Greece t though it isthat important the question to note does that “Albaniannota majority asses Greek the of relations relationship them assesfrom theof their immigrantseyes personal of the Albanian with experience the public Greek – andperceptions institutions their relationship 2013” such as immigrationwith Greeks authorities during this orstay Greek as good police. or very good in a total of 45 percent. 28 percent say that the relationship was normal while only 6 percent describe the experience of this relationship as bad or very bad. This is another sign of the successfulIf you have rate lived of integration for more of than Albanian two migrantsyears in in Greece as they demonstrate normal or good relationsGreece with how the would Greek you citizen. describe One shouldyour relations keep in mind t though that the question does not asses the relationshipwith Greeks of immigrants during with your the stay? Greek institutions such as immigration authorities or Greek police.Good 31%
NormalIf you have lived for more than28% two years in Greece how would you describe your relations with Greeks during your stay? Don't knowGood 21% 31%
VeryNormal good 14% 28%
Don't knowBad 5% 21%
VeruVery goodbad 1% 14%
Bad0%5% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Finally thereVeru is bada question1% which is a clear, simple reminder of the close relation between the two Finallypeople there and is an a evenquestion more important which is remindera clear, simpleof the importance reminder thatof the relation for the Albanian side. Almost half of the respondents of this survey show that at least one of their family members’ lives in close relation between0% the two 10% people 20% and an 30%even more 40% important reminderGreece offor thethe moment importance with that45 percent relation answering for theyes. AlbanianEven though side. we should jeep in mi tat AlmostFinally half there of theis a respondentsquestion which of is thisa clear, survey simple show reminder that ofat the least close relation between the two26 one ofpeople their and family an even members’ more important lives in reminder Greece forof the the importance moment thatwith relation for the Albanian side. 45 percent Almost halfanswering of the respondents yes. Even of though this survey we show should that jeep at least in mione tatof their family members’ lives in AlbanianGreece refer for thein this moment case towith their 45 percentextend answeringfamilies ( yes.hence Even cousins, though we should jeep in mi tat uncles and so forth) the importance and close proximity that is felt 26 to the extended family in the Albanian society is quite similar to that felt towards the core family.
44 Së fundi ka një çështje e cila është e qartë, një kujtim i thjeshtë i marrëdhënieve të ngushta midis dy popujve dhe një kujtesë për rëndësinë qe ka kjo marrëdhënie për palën shqiptare. Pothuajse gjysma e të anketuarve të këtij sondazhi tregojnë se të paktën një nga pjesëtarët eSë familjes fundi ka të njëtyre çështje jeton nëe cila Greqi është për e momentin qartë, një kujtimdhe 45 i %thjeshtë e tyre përgjigjeni marrëdhënieve po. Edhe të ngushtapse ne duhetmidis Albaniantëdy qartësojmëpopujve refer dhe inse një thisnë kujtesë këtëcase rastto për their shqiptarët rëndësinë extend referohenqefamilies ka kjo ( marrëdhëniehencepër pjesën cousins, tjetër për uncles palënte familjeve and shqiptare. so forth) të the tyrePothuajse (siimportance kushërinjtë, gjysma and e xhaxhallarët të close anketuarve proximity dhe të that kështu këtij is sondazhifelt me to radhë) the tregojnë extended dhe rëndësinë se family të paktën in e the afërsisë një Albanian nga të pjesëtarët afërmvesociety is quite “Albanian GreekAlbanian relations refer from in thethis eyes case of the to Albanian their extendpublic – perceptionsfamilies ( hence2013” cousins, uncles and so forth) the qëe familjesndjensimilar shoqëria të to tyre that shqiptarejeton felt towards në Greqi është the për mjaftcore momentin family. e ngjashme dhe me 45 atë % eqë tyre ndien përgjigjen për familjen po. Edhe kryesore. pse ne duhet tëimportance qartësojmë and se close në proximitykëtë rast thatshqiptarët is felt to referohen the extended për familypjesën in tjetër the Albanian te familjeve society të is quite similar to that felt towards the core family. tyre (si kushërinjtë,A jetonDo xhaxhallarëtanyndonjë of your pjesëtar familydhe kështui familjes members me suaj radhë) live në in dhe rëndësinë e afërsisë të afërmve që ndjen shoqëria shqiptare ështëGreqi?Greece? mjaft e ngjashme me atë që ndien për familjen kryesore. AlbanianDo any refer of your in this family case members to their extendlive in families ( hence cousins, uncles and so forth) the importance and closeGreece? proximity that is felt to the extended family in the Albanian society is quite A jeton ndonjë pjesëtar i familjes suaj në similar to that felt towards the core family. Greqi? Do any of your family members live in 55% Greece?YesPo 55% 55% NoYes 45% 45% NoJoPo 55% 45% 55% Yes Jo 45% No Sample characteristics: 45% Karakteristikat e kampionit: 1200Sample citizens characteristics: have been interviewed for this survey, divided equally between 50 percent of females and 50 percent of male respondents. Sample1200 characteristics:u intervistuan1200 citizens përhave këtë been pyetësor, interviewed me fornjë this ndarje survey, të barabartëdivided equally prej 50between % femrash 50 percent dhe 50 of females %Karakteristikat e të anketuarveand 50 percent e kampionit:meshkujsh. of male respondents. Gender 1200 citizens have Samplebeen interviewed characteristics: for this survey, divided equally between1200 50u intervistuan percent of females përGjinia këtëGender and pyetësor, 50 percent me një of malendarje respondents. të barabartë prej 50 % femrash dhe 50 % e të anketuarve1200 meshkujsh. citizens have been interviewed for this survey, divided equally between 50 percent of females 50% Male and 50 percent50% of male respondents. Gender Male 50%Gjinia Female 50%Gender Mashkull 50% Female 50% Different age groups are represented in the sampleFemër with the majority of respondents falling to the 18‐24 youth category. Thirty percent of the respondentsMashkullMale are between 18 and 24 years old followed Different age groups50% are50% represented in the sample with the majority of respondents falling to the by 22 percent who belong to the 2550%‐34 age bracket. 18 percent are between 35‐44 years old while 18‐24 youth category. Thirty50% percent of the respondents are between 18 and 24 years old followed 15 percent are between 45 and 54 years old. The remainingFemale 14 percent of the sample is made up by by 22 percent who belong to the 25‐34 age bracket.Femër 18 percent are between 35‐44 years old while people above 55 years old Grupmoshat15 percent e ndryshme are between janë 45 andtë përfaqësuara54 years old. The në remaining këtë kampion, 14 percent me of theshumicën sample ise madetë up by intervistuarve që janë në kategorinë e të rinjve rreth 18 deri 24 vjeç. Më ej, 30 % e të people aboveDifferent 55 years age oldgroups are represented in the sample with the majority of respondents falling to the anketuarve janë në mes 18Age dhe group 24 vjeç e ndjekur nga 22 për qind që i përkasin moshës 25‐ 18‐24 youth category. Thirty percent of the respondents are between 18 and 24 years old followed Grupmoshat e ndryshme janë të përfaqësuara18 – 24 në years këtë old kampion, me shumicën e të 34 vjeç. 18% janëby në 22 mes percent 35Age‐44 who group vjeç, belong ndërsa to the 15 25për‐34 qind age janëbracket. në mes18 percent 45 dhe are 54 between vjeç. 14 35% ‐i44 years old while 14% mbeturintervistuarve e mostrës që15 është janëpercent nëi përbërë arekategorinë between nga njerëz 45e tëand rinjvembi 542518 years–55 – 34rreth vjeç 24 years old. years 18 The old oldderi remaining 24 vjeç. 14 Mëpercent ej, 30of the% samplee të is made up by anketuarve janëpeople në mes above 18 dhe 55 years 2430% vjeç old e ndjekur nga 22 për45 qind që i përkasin moshës 25‐ 14% 3525 – – 44 34 years years old 34 vjeç. 18% janë në15% mes 35‐44 vjeç,30% ndërsa 15 për qind janë në mes 45 dhe 54 vjeç. 14 % i mbetur e mostrës është i përbërë nga njerëz mbi35 55 – 44 vjeç years 15% Age group45-54 years 18 – 24 years old 45-54 years 18% 22% Over 55 years 14% old 25 – 34 years old 30 Over 55 years 18% 22% 30% old 35 – 44 years 15% 30 45-54 years 27 18% 22% Over 55 years old 27
27
Albanian refer in this case to their extend families ( hence cousins, uncles and so forth) the importance and close proximity that is felt to the extended family in the Albanian society is quite similar to that felt towards the core family.
Do any of your family members live in Greece?
55% Yes
No 45%
Sample characteristics:
1200 citizens have been interviewed for this survey, divided equally between 50 percent of females and 50 percent of male respondents.
Gender
“Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” 50% Male Different age groups are represented50% in the sample with the majority Female of respondents falling to the 18-24 youth category. Thirty percent of the respondents are between 18 and 24 years old followed by 22 percentDifferent who age belong groups to are the represented 25-34 age in thebracket. sample 18 with percent the majority are of respondents falling to the between18‐ 2435-44 youth years category. old while Thirty 15percent percent of the are respondents between 45are andbetween 54 18 and 24 years old followed years old.by 22 The percent remaining who belong 14 percent to the 25 of‐34 the age sample bracket. is 18 made percent up areby between 35‐44 years old while people15 above percent 55 are years between old. 45 and 54 years old. The remaining 14 percent of the sample is made up by people above 55 years old
Age group 18 – 24 years old 14% 25 – 34 years old 30% 35 – 44 years 15% 45-54 years
18% 22% Over 55 years old
In terms of education, 46 percent of the sample is composed 27 by people whose education level is up to high-school while 18 percent are university graduates. 3 percent are in the process or have completed graduate studies while 32 percent have either completed just the first level of primary education (4 years) or the first cycle of elementary education (8-9 years).
46 Grup-mosha 18 – 24 vjeç 14% 30% 25 – 34 vjeç 15%Grup-mosha 35 – 44 vjeç 45-5418 – 24 vjeç vjeç 14% 18% 30%22% Mbi25 – 3455 vjeç 15% 35 – 44 vjeç
PërsaIn terms i përket of education, arsimimit, 46 46 percent % e kampionit of the sample është 45-54is composed i përbërë vjeç by nga people njerëz whose të arsimuar education deri level në is up In terms of education, 46 percent of the sample is composed by people whose education level is up shkollënto high e‐ schoolmesme, while18% ndërsa 18 percent18% janë22% are të university diplomuarMbi graduates. universitar. 55 vjeç 3 percent 3 % janë are nëin procesthe process apo kanëor have përfunduarcompleted studimet tograduate high‐school pasuniversitare,studies while while 18 32 percent percentndërsa are have32 university % either kanë completedpërfunduargraduates. just3 osepercent the janë first are nëlevel innivelin ofthe primary process e or have “Albanian Greek relations from the eyes of the Albanian public – perceptions 2013” parëeducation të arsimit (4completed years)të mesëm or graduatethe (4 first vjet) cycle studies ose of ciklin elementary while e parë32 percent educationtë arsimit have (8fillor ‐either9 years). (8 ‐completed9 vjet). just the first level of primary education (4 years) or the first cycle of elementary education (8‐9 years). Përsa i përket arsimimit,Educ at46io %n e kampionit është i përbërë nga njerëz të arsimuar deri në EducationArsimi shkollënInIn terms terms e mesme, of of education, education, ndërsa 46 46 18%percentEducation percent janë of of tëthe thediplomuar sample sample is iscomposeduniversitar. composed by by 3people %people janë whose whosenë proces education education apo level kanë level is isup up to high‐school while3% 18 percent are universityPa arsim graduates. 3 percent are in the process or have përfunduarto high‐school studimet while pasuniversitare, 186% percent are Nondërsauniversity education No32 graduates.e%duc kanëation përfunduar 3 percent areose in janë the nëprocess nivelin or ehave completed graduate3% studies while 32 percent have either completed just the first level of primary parëcompleted të arsimit graduate të mesëm3%6% studies (4 vjet)3% while ose 32 ciklin percent e Arsimparë haveNo të fillor education eitherarsimit completed fillor (8‐9 just vjet). the first level of primary education (4 years)1% or the6% first6% cycle of elementary education (8‐9 years). education (418% years)1% or the first cycle ofPre- elementaryPre- Eleducationementary (8‐9 years). 18% Arsim 8/9 vjeçar Arsimi1%18% 1% ElementaryPre- 18% 26%26% 8/9Elementary Grade EducationEducation 26%8/9 GradePa arsim 3% 26% ArsimEd8/9uc ati Grademesëmion 6% EducationHigh School Education 46%3% HighNoNo education SchooleducationArsim fillor 3%1%6% ArsimHigh universitar School 18%46%6%46% University Arsim 8/9 vjeçar 18%1%46%1% Pre-Pre-Arsim 18% 26% Post University 26% ElementaryElementarypasuniversitar 26% 8/9 GradeArsim i mesëm Considering the employment situation8/9 of Grade our respondents, 40 percent of them report to be Education Dukeemployed marrë parasyshwhileConsidering 15 percent situatën the areemployment e unemployed. punësimitEducation situation të Arsim8 tëpercent intervistuarve universitarof ofour the respondents, sample tanë, is made40 40% ofepercent tyrepensioners raportojnë of them while report21 to be High School percent of employedstudents.46%46%46% while17 percent 15 percent of the areHigh respondents unemployed. School are 8 percent self‐employed of the sample including is made in this of pensionerscategory while 21 Consideringse janë të the punësuar, employment ndërsa situation15 % janë oftë papunë. our respondents, 8 % e kampionimit 40 është bërë prej pensionistëve,housewives.percent ndërsa of 21students. % prej 17 studentësh percent ofArsim ethe nxënësish. respondents 17 are% eself të‐employed anketuarve including janë tëin this category percent of themhousewives. report to be employed whilepasuniversitar 15 percent are vetëpunësuar, duke përfshirë në këtë kategori edhe amvisat. unemployed. 8 percentEmployment of the sample status is made of pensioners while 21 percentDukeConsidering Consideringmarrë of students.parasysh the the employment employment situatën 17 percentEmployment e situationpunësimit situation of the of respondentstëof statusour tëour intervistuarverespondents, respondents, are self-40 tanë,40 percent percent 40 % of eof tyrethem them raportojnë report report to to be be employed whileStatusi 15 percent i punësimit are unemployed. 8 percent of the sample is made of pensioners while 21 employedse janëemployed including të punësuar, while in 15 this percent ndërsa category are 15 unemployed. housewives.% janë tëEmployed 8papunë. percent of8 the% esample kampionimit is made ofështë pensioners bërë whileprej 21 pensionistëve,percentpercent of of students. ndërsastudents. 8%2117 17 %percent percent prej studentëshof of the the respondents respondents e nxënësish. areEmployed are self self 17‐employed‐ employed% e të includinganketuarve including in inthis janëthis category categorytë 8% I punësuar vetëpunësuar,housewives.housewives. duke përfshirë8% në këtë kategoriSelf-Employed edhe amvisat. 21% Self-Employed 21% I vetëpunësuar 21%EmploymentEmployment40% status status Unemployed Statusi i punësimit 40% Unemployed 15% 40% StudentI papunë 15% EmployedEmployedStudent 8%8% I punësuar 15% 8%17% RetiredStudent 17% Self-Employed Self-EmployedI vetëpunësuarRetired 21%21%21% 17% Pensionist 40% UnemployedUnemployed 40%40% I papunë
15%15% StudentStudent 15% Student 17%17% Retired 17% RetiredPensionist 31
47 31
28 28
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