Dendias: EU to speed up enlargement in Western Balkans

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“And I represent here a success story: our relationship with Northern Macedonia. 10 years ago, who would have thought that the Greek Foreign Minister would come to a Foreign Policy Forum, the Prespa Forum, and support the European future of Northern Macedonia. So, we can be optimistic “said Mr. Dendias.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias referred to the challenges and prospects of the Western Balkans, speaking at a panel entitled: “The European peace plan in the Western Balkans”, in the framework of the “Prespa Dialogue Forum” taking place today and tomorrow in Ohrid.

As Nikos Dendias mentioned, the challenges associated with their European future Western Balkans can be overcome collectively, while efforts must focus on the stability and prosperity of the region.

The Greek Foreign Minister noted that despite the climate of pessimism that sometimes prevails in the Balkans, there are success stories in the region.

“And I represent here a success story: our relationship with Northern Macedonia. 10 years ago, who would have thought that the Greek Foreign Minister would come to a Foreign Policy Forum, the Prespa Forum, and support the European future of Northern Macedonia. So, we can be optimistic “, added Mr. Dendias.

He himself stated that it is it is impossible to imagine Europe without its Southeastern region.

“Southeastern Europe in general and the Western Balkans in particular have always belonged to Europe. Like other parts of the continent, the Western Balkans have experienced armed conflict, this is well known. But geographically, historically, culturally they belong to Europe. “Their bitter legacy has left behind, even today, a great deal of mistrust, nationalism and lack of reconciliation.” . Crises, he said, were caused or exacerbated by the illegal and unprovoked war in Ukraine.

However, as he noted, the war in Ukraine highlighted the strategic importance of the European Union-Western Balkans relationship. “The EU remains the largest trading and investment partner in the Western Balkans. “Foreign policy co-operation with the partners in the Western Balkans has intensified, also in relation to Ukraine,” he said.

Nikos Dendias noted that the European integration of the region remains an unfinished business 19 years after the “Thessaloniki Agenda” of 2003.

“The EU and the Western Balkans must do their part in this. Our partners must meet the relevant criteria in accordance with the specified conditions. “But also the EU must put enlargement in the Western Balkans back on track and very quickly.”

Nikos Dendias noted that Greece is doing everything it can to contribute to this collective effort, while referring to his recent visits to all the capitals of the region, to which he conveyed, as he said messages of support for the European perspective of the region and stressed the need for reconciliation.

The Greek Foreign Minister also expressed reservations about the presence of third parties in the region.

“Factors promoting rival political and economic agendas. “Such agendas, different from the European agenda, run counter to our collective interests and seek to undermine the EU-Western Balkans relationship,” he said.

Concluding his visit to Ohrid for the “Prespa Dialogue Forum”, the Greek Foreign Minister had brief meetings with the President of Northern Macedonia, the Foreign Minister of the country and the Foreign Ministers of Poland and Slovakia, as well as with him. of the Vatican.

At the end of his visit, Mr. Dendias had a handshake and a short conversation of a social nature with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu.

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