During the last two days, Përmeti town was the stage of some unworthy scenes. The private Bailiff’s Office executed a final court ruling, dated 2002, restoring to the City Hall the premises of what under communist dictatorship used to be the Palace of Culture, but what according to the local clergyman used to be a church and since 1999 is the orthodox church of this town in Southern Albania.

The prime minister appreciates that execution of court rulings is the cornerstone of functioning of the rule of law, but on the other hand Bailiff’s Office representatives seizing holy objects during execution of the court ruling of 11 years ago reminded the Albanians of the barbarity of Enver Hoxha days on the institutions of the cult.  

That was a serious offence for orthodox believers and all Albanian believers.

Likewise, the prime minister emphasized that yesterday’s stance of some citizens, but even of some clergymen was wrong.

The prime minister appreciated highly today’s dialogue between the local authorities of Përmet City Hall and the religious authorities and demanded from the Head of the Committee on Cults to make the necessary verifications together with the authorities and provide the respective proposals leading toward a final solution beyond all harmful atheistic practices and abusiveness.

The prime minister appreciated yesterday’s Greek authorities’ démarche unacceptable and unreasonable interference in Albania’s internal affairs. Albania has all the potential and legal means to ensure the functioning of the rule of law, the normal activity of the local and foreign institutions, to respond to those who violate the order as well as to provocations of every kind.