Athens is troubled over the new Albanian provocations both during the Serbia-Albania match in Belgrade as well as the Hellenic minority villages in Northern Epirus which followed. The Albanians’ expansionism which finds hosts in Kosovo and Skopje Albanians, combined with the hardcore jihadists in the area is an explosive mix which threatens to turn the Balkans into Europe’s powder keg.

“Unemployed” hashish farmers in Lazarati (the biggest hashish farming area in Europe) were the provocateurs who, after the Serbia-Albania match, assaulted Dervitsani in Northern Epirus causing grave harm to the Hellenic minority. Holding flags with nationalistic tones, they yelled profanity against Greece and the minorities therein, and threatened to burn down the village. They caused serious property damage while they assaulted villagers. According to “Omonoia” party which represents the Greek minority in Albania “The situation would have gotten out of hand if local police hadn’t arrived”. According to the same announcement the group is acting freely, and the state watches by without taking serious and immediate action.

The Greek ambassador in Tirana proceeded with a demarche towards the Albanian government on both the provocative flag raised by a drone during the Serbia-Albania match as well as the assault on Dervitsani, asking for the official and public outcry of such actions.