Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis’ statement to ERT TV and journalist Pierros Tzanetakos, in the Summit of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP)[...]

Today, from Sofia and from the Summit of the South-East European Cooperation Process, a highly important conference concerning all the countries of South-Eastern Europe, a region critical for the stability and prosperity of Europe and the world, particularly at this complex juncture. At a juncture of great vulnerability, with wars raging in our region. It is extremely important that the countries in our region have the opportunity to cooperate, to maintain an open dialogue and a spirit of cooperation, so that tensions may be reduced and a genuine spirit of cooperation may be fostered.

We referred in particular to issues relating to connectivity, energy, as well as to the pillars of security and cooperation, common defense, and, of course, to the European perspective of the Western Balkans. Greece has undertaken an initiative to expedite the procedures relating to the accession of the Western Balkans to the European Union. This is an initiative which began in Thessaloniki and continues today.

The path towards the European family remains the only way forward and must continue. Greece is a driving force in this effort and will ensure that, also within the framework of the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second semester of 2027, there are tangible results for substantial progress in the accession process.

Thirty years after the first conference that introduced cooperation in South-Eastern Europe, today, more than ever, the countries of our region must be close to one another, cooperate and shape the conditions for peace and prosperity.

June 10, 2026