Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis’ statement to ERT TV and journalist Katerina Fryssa, in the context of his participation in the Ministerial Meeting of the[...]

The issue of the accession process of the Western Balkans has recently been particularly high on the agenda both for Europe and for Greece. Yesterday, in the context of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, we had the opportunity to discuss it with the Ministers of the EU Member States, and today, here in Bratislava, with the "Friends of the Western Balkans" Group.

The European integration perspective of the Western Balkans is of vital importance both for the peoples of the Western Balkans and for the European Union itself. A European Union that is larger, stronger and more resilient, encompassing all the peoples, and particularly the Western Balkans, a region with a difficult history marked by nationalism, wars and conflicts. It is extremely important that we encourage this process, naturally within the framework of the criteria laid down by European Union law: respect for the EU acquis, full respect for International Law and good neighborly relations. Greece has undertaken an extensive initiative in this regard. It is the country that assumes a leading role in the accession process of the Western Balkans. The agreement, namely the Delphi Declaration, has already been signed.

Greece is the country that consistently encourages the accession of the Western Balkans. It is the immediate neighboring country and the oldest EU Member State in the region. We consider it extremely critical and important for Greece to be present in this discussion. At a time of numerous and complex challenges, it is important for the European Union to become a genuine union of all the peoples of Europe.

In the context of Greece's leading role in the pre-accession process of the Western Balkans, we will undertake a series of initiatives, including visits by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Western Balkans, as well as Greece's hosting of the next meeting of the "Friends of the Western Balkans" Group. The coming period, the next few months are particularly critical, especially in view of Greece assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second semester of 2027. We are convinced that substantive progress can be made in the discussion on the accession of the Western Balkans and that, after 13 years, we may move forward with the accession of the first Member State from the Western Balkans.

May 12, 2026