Government sources mentioned the Greek positions that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will present at the EU-Western Balkans Summit and the European Council Summit (18-19 December).

Regarding the issue of Syria, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will sound the “alarm bell” in the European Council, pointing out that Greece’s position is to support the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria and an inclusive future that will ensure all religious minorities and ethnic groups of Syria. The Prime Minister is even expected to underline that the European Union cannot be absent from the developments in the Middle East and from the next day in Syria, as there are security risks and increased refugee flows.

At the same time, he will reiterate the need to continue supporting Ukraine, so that – whenever peace talks take place – it is not in a position of weakness.

Regarding the EU-Western Balkans Summit, the Prime Minister is expected tonight to make a special reference to Serbia and the need to send a positive signal in its European direction, as, despite the shortcomings, it has recently shown commitment to its goal European integration.

In detail, the positions that the prime minister will formulate

EU – Western Balkans Summit

  • Greece supports the enlargement process and the European perspective of the Western Balkans, as a strategic investment in peace, stability and security in the region.
  • This fixed position of the Greek side is accompanied by the well-known sectarianism, that is, as long as the candidate countries for membership fulfill the conditions and implement the required reforms. This is a difficult and painstaking process that depends on the performance of the candidate countries themselves.
  • Tonight, the Prime Minister is expected to make a special reference to Serbia and the need to send a positive signal towards its European direction, as, despite its shortcomings, it has recently demonstrated a commitment to the goal of European integration (since 2021 they have not open new accession chapters for Serbia).
  • Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to underline Serbia’s crucial role in the region, and to issue a warning that downgrading its European outlook simply leaves the door open to third parties, who are waiting for this opportunity to exert influence on Serbia and negatively influence stability in the entire region.
  • The Prime Minister will emphasize that Serbia’s European orientation is a geopolitical necessity and that Serbia’s attachment to Europe strengthens the stability of the entire region, arguments he has developed in a related letter addressed to EU leaders and the President of the European Council, Antonio Cost.

European Council

  • Ukraine: The Prime Minister will reiterate the need to continue supporting Ukraine, so that – whenever peace talks take place – it is not in a position of weakness.
  • Middle East: Regarding the issue of Syria, Greece’s position is to support the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria and an inclusive future that will ensure all religious minorities and ethnic groups in Syria. The Prime Minister is even expected to underline that the European Union cannot be absent from the developments in the Middle East and from the next day in Syria, as there are security risks and increased refugee flows.
  • The Prime Minister is still expected to brief leaders on his visit to Lebanon – he was the first European leader to visit the country since the November 27 ceasefire with Israel – and to stress that the EU must support Lebanon’s state institutions and the effective implementation of the ceasefire.