Today marks a milestone in the European course of the Western Balkans. It is a course that began 21 years ago, with Greece leading the way by virtue of the Thessaloniki agenda.
Greece has maintained a constructive stance throughout Albania's accession process despite the crisis in EU-Albania relations over the past 18 months.
Our position is that the first cluster, which opens today and concerns fundamental rights and the rule of law, must also encompass the rights of minorities, including those of the Greek National Minority, and in particular its property rights. This is now a recorded common position of the 27 EU member states.
Greece will closely monitor this process and intervene where necessary, hoping that the rest of the Western Balkans will follow this path.
In a highly volatile period for our broader region, it is crucial for the European Union, the European family, to grow and become stronger.
October 15, 2024