Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis’ statement to ERT TV and Greek correspondents following his participation in the Berlin Process Summit for the Western Balkans (Berlin, 14.10.2024)

Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis’ statement to ERT TV and Greek correspondents following his participation in the Berlin Process Summit for the Western Balkans (Berlin, 14.10.2024)

Today, we are attending two very important meetings, the Berlin Process Summit for the Western Balkans in Berlin and the ΕU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, with a focus on the Middle East and Ukraine.

These two issues are interconnected. Amidst two wars threatening our region and global security, the European path of the Western Balkans is crucial for establishing regional peace and prosperity, refraining from nationalist rhetoric and charting a course aligned with Europe.

Greece has already made its stance clear. This stance was outlined more than twenty years ago, when, by virtue of the Thessaloniki Agenda in 2003, Greece led the way for the integration of the Western Balkans into the European family. This must be done in full respect of the European acquis, international law, the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

We will be the ones to accelerate this process, always provided that the fundamental principles of the European Union are respected, so that our region can enjoy peace and prosperity in these difficult times.

October 14, 2024