Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis’ statements following his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković (Sarajevo,[...]

I am particularly pleased to be in Sarajevo today, not only because of the historic glory of this city, but also because I have the opportunity to meet a dear colleague, and - I dare say - a friend, Elmedin Konaković, a significant Μinister working hard for the prosperity of this country.

I also have a special feeling at the mere fact that I am here in Sarajevo, because of the painful history which is inextricably interwoven with a dynamic present and hope for a brighter future for the country.

We had the opportunity with the Minister to hold a frank, comprehensive discussion that covered the full spectrum of our bilateral relations, as well as issues of regional cooperation.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the partners of the Western Balkans, for which European integration is a key political aspiration.

It is a well-known fact, and the friendly people of Bosnia and Herzegovina know it better than anyone, what the consequences could be from the prevalence of nationalism, revisionism, and extremist voices in the Balkan peninsula, something that we need to prevent and avoid.

While we cannot ignore the thorny legacy of history, we must build on what unites us: the close ties between the peoples of the region, similar mentalities, and the fact that, at both the political and human levels, we have the ability to talk to each other and understand each other, despite our differences.

The second is the region's enormous geopolitical importance, as it lies at the crossroads between Central Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

This strategic position has been further highlighted in the current international geopolitical environment, characterized by uncertainty, instability, unpredictability, and an erosion of confidence in international institutions.

It is high time for the countries of the region to rise to the occasion and harness its potential as a space for peace and prosperity and as a key area for Europe's security.

Achieving this objective relies fundamentally on the region's path toward European integration.

Greece, as the oldest member of the European Union in the region, has been a strong advocate for the European perspective for the Western Balkans since the Thessaloniki Agenda in 2003.

We believe that EU enlargement must regain momentum and credibility. The process of enlargement has become a top European priority again and this is something truly benevolent both for Western Balkans as well as for the European Union itself.

European integration is judged upon the principles of conditionality and its own merits. It passes through the fulfillment of all necessary criteria, in accordance with the European acquis, the principles of the rule of law, international law, and good neighborly relations, but we should not oversee that this is a political process and we need to facilitate, in a political manner, the process of enlargement.

The signing of the Delphi Declaration last April has been a highly symbolic act, a clear sign that the path towards European integration is truly irreversible.

We have also placed the European integration of the Western Balkans high on the agenda of Greece's forthcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2027, and we will work hard to achieve tangible results by the end of that period.

I confirmed to my dear colleague and friend Greece's readiness to provide Bosnia and Herzegovina with any technical assistance that may be requested on the country's path towards the European Union.

Regarding regional developments, we attach great importance to our cooperation within the framework of the Regional Cooperation Council, headquartered here in Sarajevo. I look forward to meeting with the Secretary General shortly, immediately afterwards. At the same time, the SEECP framework provides additional opportunities to strengthen regional coordination and cooperation.

A large part of our discussion today focused on our bilateral relations.

In fact, we are among the few nations without any outstanding issues between us and that makes our discussion even easier.

We confirmed the very good level and the great potential for further development in many areas.

We agreed to strengthen our cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, and investment, as well as on the great challenge of our times: energy resilience and diversification.

We also explored opportunities for enhancing our cooperation in areas with great potential for development, such as tourism, culture, and education. But, in order to develop in this sectors, we need to have regular transport. And I'm very happy to say today that direct flights from Athens to Sarajevo will be resumed regularly as of next October.

Honorable Minister, my dear friend Dino,

I would once again like to express my pleasure for being in Sarajevo today and thank you wholeheartedly for this wonderful welcome. Thank you so much.

June 19, 2026