A set of seven amendments tabled by the Patriots for Europe (PfE) group to the European Parliament's annual report on Albania, published on 10 June 2026, elevates the rights of the Greek national minority to a make-or-break condition for the country's EU accession. The amendments, filed to the report by rapporteur Andreas Schieder (S&D), introduce detailed demands on minority education, property restitution, religious freedom, and political representation, challenging the Commission's more balanced assessment of Albania's progress.
The amendments, all originating from the PfE group, represent a sharp departure from the mainstream pro-enlargement consensus. The most prescriptive change is Amendment 10, which calls on Albania to provide primary and secondary education in the Greek language in areas "traditionally inhabited" by the Greek minority, going beyond general calls for minority language rights. Amendment 11 expresses "serious concern" over persistent problems in property rights, education, political representation, local self-government, and cultural heritage for the Greek minority, elevating these issues from a footnote to a central concern.
Religious heritage receives specific attention: Amendment 12 demands restoration and legal protection of Greek Orthodox churches and cemeteries, and a halt to expropriation or demolition. Amendment 9 calls for respect for the autonomy of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, including an end to interference in ecclesiastical appointments. Amendment 14 introduces a call on all Albanian political actors to reject "historical revisionism, irredentism or territorial claims," directly addressing a sensitive bilateral issue with Greece.
Policy orientations and trade-offs
The amendments shift the report's focus from general rule-of-law and governance benchmarks to a detailed critique of Albania's treatment of the Greek minority. This implies a stricter conditionality for Albania's accession, potentially slowing progress if the demands are not met. The trade-off is between a more rigorous human rights standard for a specific minority and the risk of depoliticising bilateral disputes, which the EU typically seeks to avoid. The amendments also risk being seen as disproportionate by mainstream groups, who may view them as counterproductive to the overall accession process.
Impact on stakeholders
- Greek minority in Albania: Potentially positive, as the amendments could lead to stronger EU pressure on Tirana to address their grievances, including education and property rights.
- Albanian government: Negative, as the amendments impose additional conditions beyond the standard accession criteria, increasing the political cost of EU integration.
- EU institutions (Commission, Council): Moderately negative, as the amendments could complicate the accession process by introducing a bilateral dimension that the EU usually tries to keep separate.
- Greek government: Positive, as the amendments align with Athens' longstanding concerns about the Greek minority in Albania, giving them a stronger EU-level platform.
Institutional follow-up
The amendments will be debated and voted on in the European Parliament's plenary session. If adopted, they would become part of the Parliament's position on Albania, which is non-binding but carries political weight. The Council and Commission will then consider the Parliament's stance in their own assessments. The next step is the plenary vote, expected later in 2026.