Andreas Katsaniotis, the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister, has visited “Greek minority” communities in Albania today on the anniversary of 28 October 1940, otherwise known as Ochi Day.
The day commemorates when Greek dictator Ioannis Metaxas rejected the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, a counterattack against invading Italian fascist forces of Pindus, and the Greek Resistance during Axis occupation.
On Twitter, the minister said he was happy to visit the groups who he says retain links to Greece. He added he was “moved and proud to be walking the earth soaked with the blood of our ancestors who died defending the country.”
He also visited the Dervician health centre, where he spoke to members of staff and residents.
“We delivered part of the health supplies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs collected with the help of the Ministry of Health,” he added.
Three years ago today, a Greek man was killed by Albanian special forces after he opened fire on a police patrol during Ochi Day celebrations.
Konstandinos Kacifa, an Albanian-Greek dual national, fired shots at a police patrol. After authorities tried to arrest him and he refused, special forces pursued him to a nearby mountain. The police said he failed to surrender when ordered and instead opened fire again.
A police press release said, “RENEA forces responded, and during the resulting exchange of fire, K.K was killed.”
Albania’s Greek minority lives predominantly along the border with Greece and totals some 24,000 according to the 2011 census.
