The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has announced a new maritime agreement with the Greek state.
In a conference with journalists, he asserted that he has the moral and legal right to seek a better agreement, in the interest of Albania and relations with Greece.
Berisha emphasized that two of the most important issues for Albania in relation to Greece were the friendship treaty and the maritime agreement, which, according to him, was a historic opportunity for the country.
He underlines that the maritime agreement, which was signed at a time when Greece had only 6 miles of declared territorial waters, was much more favorable to Albania than any other agreement that could be reached now.
Berisha accuses Edi Rama's government of failing in negotiations with Greece.
Sali Berisha: One is the friendship treaty because it was not renewed and the second was the maritime agreement. It was the best agreement that Albania could ever get in all time. The agreement was signed under conditions when Greece had declared 6 miles of territorial waters.
Of course, Greece in international law had the right to pass 12 miles, but it accepted that the agreement was signed at a time when it recognized 6 miles.
It was not forgiving us, but it accepted a regime that it had, we did not impose on it.
This was a real advantage that we can no longer achieve.
When the GJK absolutely overturned due to the anti-Albanian intervention of Rama and others, we agreed with the Greek side to take it to The Hague, since it prevails over the decision of the Albanian court.
Rama told Tsipras: No, we have to make a better agreement. They negotiated for 2 years and when they went to Korça to sign it, they did not sign, justifying themselves with the decision of the Court of Justice. The Greek side was rightly disgusted and said, "You had the decision there, why did you negotiate for 2 years?"
I have the moral and legal right to sit at the table with the Greek side and do the best for both countries .