The EU – Balkans Summit comes at an extremely critical moment for the European continent. Greece has supported in principle the accession perspective of all the countries of the Western Balkans, while, of course, taking into account the reality that these countries must make the necessary reforms in order to adapt to the European acquis.
I would like to make a special reference to two countries that will be hosted here today, in the European Council building. First, with regard to Serbia, I had the opportunity a few days ago to send a letter to all my counterparts, asking them to align themselves with the recommendations of the European Commission so that we can open another chapter of accession negotiations regarding Serbia.
I consider it absolutely necessary for Serbia to accelerate its course towards the European Union, it is the largest country in the Western Balkans, it is a reference point for stability in the region. I feel that now is the time to send a message to Serbia and the Serbian people that we mean what we say, that we want Serbia to be part of the European family.
Serbia knows what it needs to do from its part in order to harmonise its foreign policy decisions with the common decisions of the European Union. However, I believe that now the time has come to send a clear message to Serbia that its place is in the European family.
The second country I wοuld like to mention is Albania. And since the second Intergovernmental Committee suggested yesterday the opening of another chapter of negotiations, I would like to stress once again that Greece is essentially the “guardian” of Albania’s European course and that the issues concerning the protection of the Greek National Minority, the safeguarding of their property rights, the right to self-determination are not bilateral issues, but issues which now concern Albania’s relations with the European Union.
I am pleased by the fact that for the first time in many years we have significant mobility on the part of Albania in addressing these issues. And I would say that this is the best proof, because ultimately the European course of the Balkan countries can also lead to the resolution of such chronic issues when they are reduced from bilateral to European issues.
