As the minister pointed out, his visit to Pristina “highlights the importance that Greece attaches to the region and to the close cooperation with the Western Balkans”
“It is our belief that the path of the Western Balkans towards the European Union is a one-way street”, underlined the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias in his statements after his meeting with the Kosovar Minister of Foreign Affairs Donika Gërvalla – Schwarz in Pristina.
“In this context, I believe that the progress in the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade will contribute decisively to the promotion of the EU’s ambitions. A future in which some countries envision revisionist policies and neo-imperialist ideologies is not tolerated by us. This is an agenda of the 19th century, not the 21st century,” he emphasized.
As the minister pointed out, his visit to Pristina, after the visit of the Foreign Minister of North Macedonia to Athens, his visit to Belgrade yesterday and to Tirana tomorrow, “highlights the importance that Greece attaches to the region and to the close cooperation with the Western Balkans”.
During the meeting, the promotion and further strengthening of cooperation at the bilateral level was discussed. “I would like to see our cooperation in a broader context, the context of our deepest interest in peace, stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans,” he said.
“The EU is the final destination for everyone interested in the Western Balkans, of course according to the conditions, of course according to the EU acquis. But that should be the final destination,” he noted. Energy cooperation was also discussed, an extremely critical area, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Greece is emerging as an energy hub in the Balkans,” he pointed out. “But it is important for you to gain your energy independence and also move away from coal to the new era of environmental protection.”
Regarding developments in the region, Mr. Dendias emphasized that Greece fully supports the continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive and legally binding agreement, in accordance with international law, as always, and the EU acquis .
“Following the EU-assisted Agreement last November, it is of the utmost importance that the two sides work together in good faith. And they should refrain from actions and rhetoric that risk rekindling tensions and jeopardizing what you have achieved so far.”
He stressed that it is vital for both sides to implement what was agreed and that was my clear message to Belgrade yesterday.
“Given today’s geopolitical challenges following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it is vital to achieve concrete results that will advance Belgrade and Pristina’s EU ambitions. We must not allow third parties to take advantage of instability and insecurity in the West Balkans”, he pointed out.
He finally noted that Greece supports the work of EULEX, “which plays a crucial stabilizing role”, as well as the work of both the EU Special Representative and the US envoy for the Western Balkans.
Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti hosted a dinner in honor of the Foreign Minister.
There was a “topical exchange of views on matters of cooperation, especially in the economy and energy, the current situation in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and the European course of the Western Balkans”, according to a related post by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Twitter.
#Pristina: I was hosted today for a lunch by Kosovar PM, A. Kurti. Timely exchange of views on cooperation especially in economy/energy, state of play in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and #WesternBalkans 🇪🇺 path. pic.twitter.com/i6epZk65sP
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) December 20, 2022
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have been an author at News Bulletin 247 for the past 2 years. I mostly cover politics news. I am a highly experienced and respected journalist. I have won numerous awards for my work.
