Alexis Tsipras met with the Prime Minister of Serbia M. Vucevic on the sidelines of the meeting of the Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for the Western Balkans in Belgrade. The meeting emphasized the importance of Greek-Serbian relations and the messages of the Western Balkans Commission in favor of the European path of the countries of the region, the peaceful resolution of disputes and economic cooperation.

Alexis Tsipras: Three-point framework for the European perspective of the Western Balkans

Earlier at the closing of the meeting of the Western Balkans Commission in Belgrade, Alexis Tsipras set a three-point strategic framework for the European perspective of the region.

First, to promote a coherent European strategy for enlargement in the Western Balkans with the aim of the first country joining in 2030. This is the only way the EU can have any credibility as an international and regional power.

He also stressed that there should be a linked but separate strategy with a different timetable for partners such as Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. “The perspective of the Western Balkans cannot be captive to the much bigger and heavier measures that the EU must take to integrate Ukraine into its fold,” he said.

Secondly, the enlargement methodology based on a phased approach must be reviewed. On this basis, these countries must be integrated in the first stage in the European common market, before their accession.

Thirdly, the EU must move much more actively for the peaceful resolution of disputes in the Western Balkans with an emphasis on Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina. This requires political will from all sides but also a framework of dialogue, respect and contacts to which the Commission for the Western Balkans can contribute.