G. Gerapetritis: Greece has a strategic relationship with the countries of the Western Balkans

“Greece is the country that preeminently has a strategic relationship with the countries of the Western Balkans,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritisspeaking earlier in Parliament.

“We have managed, at this moment, to have excellent relations, with all the states”, underlined Mr. Gerapetritis and added: “This is because the present government is governed, in terms of foreign policy, from an attitude of principle, rules . We will never appear inconsistent. And this is something that is credited to us because we can talk in terms of consistency and integrity with everyone even when there are competitors in the same area.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs came to the Parliament in order to respond to topical question of New Left Member of Parliament Sia Anagnostopoulos, for government strategy in the Western Balkans and in particular for the attitude of the government in accession of Kosovo to the Council of Europeand in its application Agreement of Prespa.

For the Western Balkans

“Greece is the fastest growing country in terms of European, union and Euro-Atlantic course of the Western Balkans. Of course, we understand that this path is subject to conditions, it is the EU enlargement policy and the stabilization and association process, with clear reference to the rule of law and democracy, respect for fundamental rights, and respect for minorities,” said the minister of Foreign Affairs and added that “Greece maintains excellent relations with all the member states of the Western Balkans, especially with the traditionally friendly countries, such as Serbia and Montenegro, with which we have developed special connectivity agreements, at the level of transport and energy”.

“The policy of the authorities has allowed us to be fair interlocutors in difficult circumstances, such as the relationship between Belgrade and Pristina, but of course to be able to talk with Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Kosovo,” Mr Gerapetritis also said.

For Kosovo

From the beginning, Greece maintained an attitude which was particularly consistent. Just as we abstained from the process by which Kosovo’s application, for membership in the Council of Europe, was referred by the Committee of Ministers to the Parliamentary Assembly for an opinion, in exactly the same way we will vote when the time comes to the committee ministers. I remind you that essentially due to the system, on the basis of the majority required, to become a full member, this abstention is actually counted as a refusal”.

Regarding Kosovo, the foreign minister said that the Greek position is permanent and clear. “We said from the beginning that we do not think that, under the current conditions, Kosovo will be able to join the international organizations. There is a special mention in the Accords of Ahrida, precisely between Serbia and Kosovo, which refers to the issue of membership in international organizations.

But I will not refer to that. I will refer to the fact that the Greek government is not going to agree to the integration of Kosovo, although we maintain the necessary bilateral relations with Kosovo, so that we have good neighborly relations. What each MP did, you will allow me to say is a matter of parliamentary independence as well.

Greece, however, expresses itself through its government and this government is absolutely consistent, from the moment of the submission of the request from Kosovo until the final decision of the Council of Ministers, whenever it takes place”.

For the Prespa Agreement

“THE treaty of Prespa, is a matter of course for the progress of the pre-accession process of the Republic of North Macedonia in the EU”, said Giorgos Gerapetritis and added: “From the beginning, we had formulated the reservations, especially regarding the fundamental technical parts of the Prespa Agreement. But this Agreement is a superior treaty, against any law. Any contrary provision of law does not apply. So essentially it’s supertext. We are following the development of this agreement very closely.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that on 2March 7, 2024, the 8th meeting of the Joint Scientific Committee took place experts, on historical, archaeological and educational issues. In this climate, Mr. Gerapetritis said that “there is monitoring” and the memoranda “will come in the political time that the government will judge”. He pointed out at the same time that “there must be faithful observance, on behalf of the neighboring country as well”.

“The government has been insisting for five years, for the protocols that have not been ratified by the Parliament, telling us that this will be done when the government decides. Tell me, is a period of destabilization good for our country? The Prespa Agreement provides for a supreme interstate council every year. It has never been done”, commented the MP of the New Left and underlined the importance of lasting agreements and partnerships in diplomacy.

“Of course the state has continuity. Of course the issues for which arise we had expressed reservations us and we will see how the elections will go in the neighboring country. Despite this, we express the continuity of the state”, said the foreign minister and added: “We absolutely accept the Prespa Agreement. It could not be otherwise because this is a constitutional imperative. On the other hand, we will closely monitor its development and compliance. Because in order for there to be progress, for the protocols to be ratified and for there to be any anticipated progress, in terms of secondary protocols or memoranda, there would have to be agreement on both sides and there would have to be full compliance with the dictates of agreement of Prespa”.