Albania completes property title registration for inherited homes in Himara

The government has concluded the process of issuing property titles for inherited homes in the Himara municipality in just six months. Prime Minister Edi Rama attended a ceremony to deliver property certificates to beneficiaries and announced the next step: initiating the process of granting the Act of Taking the Land into Ownership (AMTP).

Why is this important: Despite homes in the southern coastal region and certain northern mountain areas being over 50 years old—and sometimes centuries old—residents have lacked official ownership documentation. The situation mirrors a broader national issue with land registration and property rights, lingering since the fall of communism when private land ownership was prohibited.

Post-1991 reforms, including the controversial Law 7501, created more complications than solutions. The situation in Himara is further complicated by the presence of a recognized Greek minority, whose property claims have frequently been raised by the Greek government in Brussels, alleging violations of ownership rights. However, AMTP has yet to be granted to either the Albanian or minority populations in Himara. The Prime Minister’s announcement addressed these concerns, signaling the start of this long-overdue process and countering accusations from Greece regarding property disputes.

Context: During the ceremony in Himara, Rama credited Vangjel Tavo, the newly elected mayor, for his significant contributions to achieving this milestone. A representative of the Greek minority, Tavo has an extensive political career, including serving as Minister of Health in 2012. He assumed office after winning a special election on August 4, 2023, following the disqualification of the opposition candidate, Fredi Beleri.

Beleri, a controversial candidate who enjoyed the support of Athens, won the May 14, 2023, local elections thanks to voters being bussed in from Greece.  However, he was arrested 48 hours before election day for being caught in flagrante buying votes. He was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison, a decision that sparked diplomatic tensions between Albania and Greece.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis repeatedly demanded Beleri’s release, arguing that as a representative of the Greek minority, he deserved special treatment. However, Rama firmly rejected the demand, emphasizing the independence of Albania’s judiciary. In this position Albania enjoyed the tacit support of the main sponsors of its justice reform, the U.S. and EU. Nevertheless, Greece escalated tensions by placing Beleri on its party list for the European Parliament elections. After serving part of his sentence, Beleri was released for good behavior and subsequently took his seat as a Member of the European Parliament.

Addressing Greece’s concerns: The AMTP process announcement was a direct response to Greece’s accusations of property rights violations in Himara. Rama, whose family’s origins hail partially from Himara, has staunchly refuted Greek accusations of Himara being singled out for discrimination pointing out that similar problems with property registrations are widespread in Albania. He went on to reassure the inhabitants of Himara that all legal frameworks will be applied equitably, addressing both Albanian and minority property claims. Rama highlighted that the AMTP process will dispel long-standing disputes and deliver long-overdue justice for all residents.