The Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Kostis Hatzidakis, participated yesterday in the Summit of Finance Ministers of the Berlin Process for the Western Balkans, on the topic “Common Regional Market – A step towards the single EU market”.

In his intervention, Mr. Hatzidakis expressed Greece’s firm support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans, stressing that it is an investment in security, stability and prosperity, with significant benefits both for the countries of the region and for the European Union itself.

Mr. Hatzidakis referred in particular to the contribution of the Berlin Process to the socio-economic development of the Western Balkans and the promotion of their convergence with the EU. He pointed out, however, the need to further intensify efforts, by all parties involved, in order to force the accession process.

Concluding, the Minister pledged that Greece, as the oldest EU member state in the region, will contribute in practice in this direction, clarifying at the same time that there can be no exceptions to the fulfillment of the necessary conditions and criteria, especially with regard to the protection of democratic institutions and the rule of law.

On the sidelines of the session, Mr. Hatzidakis had a short meeting with the new Minister of Finance of Albania, Mr. Ervin Mete, to whom he expressed the standing positions of the Greek government regarding the issue of the detention of the elected mayor of Heimarra, Freddy Beleris. Mr. Hatzidakis also met with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Entrepreneurship of Kosovo, Mrs. Roseta Hajdari, with whom they discussed bilateral economic relations and the prospect of further deepening them.

The Minister also had a long meeting with His Beatitude the Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and all Albania etc. Anastasios, with whom they visited the Holy Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ and the adjacent Cultural and Conference Center.