Response from Berlin

Under other circumstances the so-called Berlin Process for the Western Balkans, which met on Tuesday 1 October in Berlin at the level of foreign ministers, would have focused on the usual: political targeting aimed at improving relations in the complex region of the Western Balkans, good practices in society of citizens, education, networking, entrepreneurship.

Indeed, in their statement, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs who participated in Berlin Process led by the German Foreign Minister Analena Burbock reached a series of points that will be further discussed in two weeks at the level of heads of state and government: an agreement on higher education in the region, attracting foreign investment, a declaration on research and innovation, a declaration on reaffirming good neighborliness and cooperation in the region.

For Greece, which also participates in the Berlin Process, the priority is for “the Western Balkans to remain on course towards their European perspective” and to be given a “vision again in order to speed up the process that started on Greek initiative 21 years ago in Thessaloniki” said in a statement from Berlin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Giorgos Gerapetritis. However, the Greek minister stressed the “full adoption of the European acquis and international law”. For him, the enlargement of the EU to the Western Balkans is a guarantee of stability. “A bigger Europe is a stronger Europe” as he told reporters, against the backdrop of developments in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Eyes on Israel-Lebanon-Iran

Inevitably, however, yesterday was overshadowed by events in the Middle East, Israel’s ground operation in Lebanon and late afternoon Iranian retaliation. German Foreign Minister Analena Berbock, attending the meeting, said about the developments in the Middle East:

“We need a credible agreement that will ensure that the legal rights of Israel and Lebanon are preserved and protected. This also concerns Hezbollah, which, based on Resolution 1701 of the UN Security Council, must withdraw from Israel’s borders, behind the Litani River, for the benefit of the security of both Israel and Lebanon. This is not only about the people in northern Israel, so that they can finally return to their homes, but also about the people in southern Lebanon, who have been suffering for a year and should finally be able to live in safety.”

The Greens’ Analena Burbock called Hezbollah a “terrorist organization” that has “caused pain to too many innocent people”. Late on Tuesday evening, the German Foreign Minister stated again through X about the Iranian attack: “Israel is being attacked with missiles from Iran. I condemn the ongoing attack in the strongest possible terms. We had warned Iran about this dangerous escalation. Iran must stop the attack immediately. It leads the region to the brink of the abyss.”

A top diplomatic source said on the sidelines of the meeting that Greece is also closely following the developments in the Middle East and that it has managed to maintain an “extremely balanced” level of relations with all parties involved with “international law as a guide”. On the one hand Greece has managed to have an excellent relationship with Israel and on the other an excellent relationship with the Arab world, as a result of which all sides consider it extremely “reliable”. Regarding the escalation of the last few days after Israel’s strikes in Lebanon, the same top diplomatic source speaks of a “tipping point”, characterizing Israel’s strikes in Lebanon as important, with the result that it gains a tactical advantage, but also its attitude is “critical” Iran. From now on, the attitude of the remaining, more “moderate” Arab states in the region is considered equally crucial.

Immigration: ‘Accounted’ returns

Among other things, on the sidelines of the contacts, immigration was also discussed, against the backdrop of the tightening of the German stance, the six-monthly border controls and the increase in pressure for returns to countries of first entry. “Greece has made enormous progress in all aspects of immigration: in curbing illegal flows, trying to open up legal migration routes, having improved the infrastructure to an incredible extent so that conditions are humane, and having speeded up and streamlined procedures asylum” says the top diplomatic source, stressing that all this was a requirement of the EU and the member states.

As for Germany and the problems that have arisen, according to the Greek side, these are related to the fact that it is an attractive country with high benefits. On the other hand, Greece has never refused the integration of recognized refugees.

Regarding the communication with Germany on immigration and returns, the same source speaks of a “good, common understanding” between the two countries, of continuing consultations at a regular official level but also of the need to observe European law (that no there may be deviations from Schengen or unilateral entry-exit restrictions may be imposed). As he mentioned, however, not many returns are expected. Greece, within the framework of its capabilities – it will not be able to give, for example, the benefits that Germany gives – is ready for “calculated returns” based on European law.

Effervescence in the Balkans

Back in the Western Balkans, what was also evident in Berlin on Tuesday, is that there are still inherent quarrels and fundamental disagreements in the region, which are still difficult to bridge and which make it even more difficult to come to an agreement between them, for example in the case of Kosovo and Serbia or North Macedonia and Bulgaria. It is a “flammable” region by definition and that is why Greece consciously supports the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

The Berlin Process began in 2014 at the initiative of the then Chancellor Angela Merkel as an informal meeting that would contribute to the cooperation of the Western Balkan countries, but also to the rapprochement process with the EU. This year the Balkan Process turns ten years old, in a period which is nothing like 2014, with two wars raging, in the Ukraine and the Middle East. Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Germany participate in the Berlin Process. In addition to the host Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Great Britain, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia and Poland also participate, as well as the Commission.

On October 14, also in Berlin, the Summit of the Berlin Process is expected, in which Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is also expected.