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With the elected Member of the European Parliament of New Democracy Fredi Beleri, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met at the Maximos Mansion.
«I have many reasons, my dear Fredi, to be happy to welcome you today to the Maximos Mansion. First, to congratulate you on your election as a Greek MEP in Brussels and Strasbourg with New Democracy. I am sure you will fully perform your duties», said the Prime Minister addressing Mr. Beleri.
«I want to tell you how happy I am that this great adventure seems to be nearing its end. The obvious happened, you got permission to be able to perform your duties and get sworn in. I hope that very soon you will definitively be out of prison, to finally close this painful chapter for all of us, so we can move forward and look ahead», he added.
«President, I would like to thank you in person for supporting me all this time. I will honor the trust you placed in me by putting me on the European Parliament ballot. I believe that it is not self-evident for the country we live in, the rule of law, the right to vote and to be elected. I want to help with these issues. To help the Greek national minority stand in their ancestral homes, but also help this state come closer and become a member of the European family», said Mr. Beleri.
«That’s what we want too, and you know – I think I have proven this practically – that I stand next to the people of the Greek national minority. We have every reason to also want an Albania that makes progress on these issues, that comes closer to Europe, while strictly adhering to its European commitments. I think this is a common goal for which we all want to work», replied Mr. Mitsotakis.
Fr. Beleri: I will defend the rights of our homeland and the Greeks wherever they reside
The ND MEP Fredi Beleri arrived in Athens shortly after 12:30. Mr. Beleri arrived at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport and proceeded to the Maximos Mansion.
At the airport, he was welcomed, among others, by the former Minister of State, Stavros Papastavrou, and the ND MP Angelos Syrigos. Mr. Beleri was accompanied by his wife.
In his statements to the journalists, he emphasized: «I am happy and moved to embrace my loved ones again. I am proud to take on my duties as an MEP, to fight to defend the rights of our homeland and the Greeks wherever they reside. I want to thank the Greek Prime Minister for his trust, for his choice. He proved that he is the leader of all Hellenism and protects the Greeks wherever they are. I also want to thank his close associates who stood by me from the very first moment. I want to thank all those who supported me. The media that stood by me from the very first moment in this unjust conspiracy. My adventure is coming to an end. The fight for democracy, the rule of law, and citizen freedoms continues.
Answering relevant questions, he emphasized that «I am innocent, even the Albanians say so now» and that «the support of my family, friends, and perhaps the majority of Greeks give me strength and courage».
He also sent a message to the Himariotis that «they are not alone, they have mother Greece to protect them, their demands are just, sooner or later they will be vindicated».
Finally, he emphasized that «the EU should not allow the will and desires of the peoples to be disrespected wherever they are in general in Europe». (15/07/2024)