The expansion and deepening of bilateral co-operation between Greece and Serbia was the focus of a meeting between the two countries’ Foreign Ministers, Nikos Dendias and Nikola Selaković, in Athens.
“We discussed, and I am particularly happy about that, the military cooperation between us,” Nikos Dendias said in joint statements with his Serbian counterpart after the meeting, which lasted more than two hours.
He added that he will be informed by the Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos about the outcome of the talks and expressed the hope that the Ministries of Defense and the Armed Forces of Greece and Serbia will cooperate very closely in the near future. After noting that the cooperation of the two countries in the military sector lags behind the cooperation in the other sectors, he expressed the belief that “we can do better in this sector, we can do better”.
In addition, Nikos Dendias informed that Greece and Serbia will expand their cooperation to the level of trilateral meetings, as well as quadripartite formations offered at the discussion by the Serbian Foreign Minister. In this regard, he stated that Greece is particularly positive in this direction as well.
At the same time, the Foreign Minister reiterated Greece’s steadfast opposition to centrifugal forces, “who might want to redraw the map of our region.” At this point, he underlined that he directly raised the influence of external factors that with mantles such as development aid and supposedly historical, cultural, religious traditions promote extreme ideologies and a destabilizing agenda in the Balkans.
Regarding the Western Balkans, Nikos Dendias expressed Greece’s firm commitment to their European course, subject to conditionality. In fact, he stated the readiness of the Greek government to offer technical assistance if the Serbian side so wishes. In addition, he assured that he will continue the efforts to convene the first intergovernmental conference as soon as possible.
In fact, with regard to Northern Macedonia, the Foreign Minister insisted that “pacta sunt servanda”, the agreements must be respected regardless of governments and that Greece looks forward to the full and faithful implementation of the Prespa Agreement.
Stressing further the importance of the integration of the Western Balkans in the European family, he said that this is the only way forward for them and in this direction Greece will continue to provide assistance, to make efforts, to work.
“Greece stands by the Serbian people in order to become an integral part of the European family”
The Foreign Minister then focused on the historical, cultural and religious ties between the two peoples and the possibility of expanding bilateral economic relations. In particular, regarding the economic relations between Greece and Serbia, he noted that they are at a high level, stating that Greek businessmen have more than 2.5 billion euros in Serbia. At the same time, he expressed the intention of Greece to approach the new opportunities, so that there would be mutual benefit.
In this context, he referred to the forthcoming visit of Deputy Foreign Minister Costas Frangogiannis to Belgrade, who today took part in the expanded contacts between the two delegations.
Furthermore, Nikos Dendias noted that there are great prospects in energy, transport and many great opportunities to strengthen the interconnection between the two countries both bilaterally and multilaterally, with the participation of other countries in the region.
Mr Dendias noted the “significant increase in tourist traffic from Serbia to Greece last summer”, stressing that there are historical and religious ties between the two peoples. For centuries, he added, he recalled that “the Serbian and Greek peoples two centuries ago both rebelled against Ottoman oppression and fought successfully for their freedom.” He pointed out that Greece and Serbia were “always on the same side of the historical argument”. Continuing on the same wavelength, the Foreign Minister said that Greece still stands today on the side of the Serbian people in order to become an integral part of the European family, “because we believe that you belong there”.
The Foreign Minister did not fail to express on behalf of the government, warm thanks to the Serbian government, President VuÏ„Ï‚iÏ„Ï‚ and the Serbian people for their help in extinguishing the great fires of the summer. “It was another opportunity to strengthen ties between our societies, between our peoples,” he said. For his part, the Serbian Foreign Minister said that “for us it was an honor through the presence of Serbian firefighters to help Greece in dealing with the fires.” He also assured that the Greek people can always count on Serbia’s readiness to help in such situations.
On the issue of Kosovo, Nikos Dendias expressed the satisfaction of the Greek government for the reduction of tension in northern Kosovo and stressed that Greece supports the work of the Special Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and called on all parties to come forward constructively. available at the next meeting, which will take place in a few weeks.
Nikos Dendias also expressed to his Serbian counterpart deep concern over the developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and expressed the view that the stagnation and difficulties he faces threaten not only the fragile balance of the country itself, but also the entire stability of the region. .
Finally, capturing the atmosphere of the meeting, Nikos Dendias described today’s visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia as beneficial.
Serbian Foreign Minister: Strategic partnership between Greece and Serbia
The Serbian Foreign Minister expressed in Serbia the will of Serbia for further deepening of the bilateral cooperation with Greece. He stressed that today’s meeting continues the strategic partnership between Greece and Serbia.
He made special reference to the personal meeting he had with Nikos Dendias in Belgrade in April, but also to the Greece-Cyprus-Serbia tripartite. Nikola Selakovic said that today’s meeting was a natural continuation of the beginning of their communication, which began in April, and expressed his satisfaction that “we will soon continue with this new practice” (tripartite cooperation).
He also expressed confidence that in the next period Serbia will be able to organize the 4th meeting of the Supreme Cooperation Council between the two countries in Belgrade.
At the same time, the Serbian Foreign Minister expressed his heartfelt thanks to Greece for its support on the European path of all the Western Balkans, and in particular of Serbia. At the same time, he stressed the need for frequent contacts and talks between the two countries.
Focusing on the importance that Serbia attaches to its relationship with Greece, he said that it is not just relations between two countries. “There is a lot we have in common through history,” he noted.
Referring to the talks he had with Nikos Dendias, he said that they discussed the need to deepen, strengthen economic cooperation. In particular, he said that Greece can return to the Serbian market through its investments and have a larger presence.
Regarding trade, he stressed the need to increase the exchange of products between the two countries and called on Greek businessmen to continue cooperation. “They have our support to continue the co-operation,” he said, adding that he was particularly pleased with Deputy Foreign Minister Costas Frangogiannis’ visit to Belgrade in two weeks.
Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude to Nikos Dendias and Costas Frangogiannis for their readiness to share their positive experiences in economic diplomacy.
The Serbian Foreign Minister also thanked, as he said, for “support in maintaining our territorial integrity in Kosovo, as well as support for finding a solution to this problem through the dialogue for the normalization of relations, under the auspices between Belgrade and Pristina “.
Finally, Nikola Selakovic expressed his satisfaction with Greece taking over the chairmanship of the Cooperation Process in Southeast Europe.
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