The position of Greece in favor of the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU was reiterated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Gerapetritis, during his intervention at the Summit of the Berlin Process for the Western Balkans held on Monday in the German capital.
Gerapetritis connected in his statements the issue of the Western Balkans and the issue of the two wars in the Middle East and Ukraine that were on the agenda of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, noting that “in the midst of two wars that threaten our region, that threaten the global security, the European course of the Western Balkans is important to be able to establish peace, prosperity in our region, to avoid nationalisms, to chart a course, which will be compatible with Europe”.
The agenda of Thessaloniki
He reiterated that Greece “has already clarified its position. This position was prescribed twenty years ago, when with the Thessaloniki agenda in 2003 Greece was a pioneer in the integration of the Western Balkans into the European family. This should be done with full respect for the European acquis, with full respect for international law, with full respect for the principles of democracy and the rule of law.”
📍Berlin
FM George Gerapetritis at the #BerlinProcess Summit for the #WesternBalkans📍Berlin
Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis at the Summit of the Berlin Process for the Western Balkans pic.twitter.com/ZqH0a4jY1U— Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@GreeceMFA) October 14, 2024
However, he did not fail to emphasize that Athens will accelerate this process “always under the condition of respecting the fundamental principles of the European Union, so that our region can have the peace and prosperity required in these difficult times”.
Energy and transport
In his presentation to the Synod, Gerapetritis particularly referred to the field of interconnectivity, with an emphasis on energy and transport. As reported by competent sources in he noted Greece’s interest in the creation of a single regional energy market, characterizing it as necessary for the economic well-being of the Western Balkans. With Greece aspiring to become a strong exporter of clean energy.
He pointed out that Greece produces about 50% of its electricity from Renewable Energy Sources and aims to acquire a key role in the cross-border electricity trade in the Western Balkans.
With Greece stating that it wants in the field of electricity to upgrade its interconnection with North Macedonia but also to implement the interconnection with Albania.
He also referred to the strategic goal of Greece becoming a cross-border gateway for natural gas through the TAP, as well as the Alexandroupoli FSRU.
Finally, he underlined the importance of the implementation of the Western Balkans-Eastern Mediterranean corridor for transport connectivity.
#Gerapetritis #European #Western #Balkans #important
