Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis sent a message from Sofia in support of strengthening regional cooperation, stability, and accelerating the European perspective of the Western Balkans, as part of his participation in the Summit and the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP).
The head of Greek diplomacy described the conference as “very critical,” noting that it concerns all countries of Southeast Europe, a region that, as he stated, plays a decisive role in the stability and prosperity not only of Europe but also of the broader international environment.
Mr. Gerapetritis emphasized that the Summit is taking place at a particularly complex juncture in the international arena, with armed conflicts ongoing in the wider region and increased factors of instability and vulnerability. As he noted, in such an environment, it becomes even more necessary to have cooperation mechanisms among the states of the region in order to foster a climate of mutual trust, reduce tensions, and strengthen regional cohesion.
“It is extremely important for the countries in our region to have the opportunity to cooperate, to engage in open dialogue and a spirit of cooperation, so that tensions are reduced and a genuine spirit of cooperation is fostered,” he noted.
According to the Foreign Minister, discussions focused on issues related to the connectivity of states in the region, energy cooperation, as well as the pillars of security and cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed, he said, on issues of common defense, as well as on the strategic importance of the European perspective for the countries of the Western Balkans.
Mr. Gerapetritis highlighted Greece’s active role in efforts to accelerate the accession processes of the region’s countries to the European Union. As he noted, Athens has taken a specific initiative to expedite the Western Balkans’ European path, emphasizing that this is a strategy based on the Thessaloniki Declaration and Greece’s long-standing policy in favor of the region’s European integration.
“Greece has taken an initiative to accelerate the processes regarding the accession of the Western Balkan countries to the European Union. It is an initiative that began in Thessaloniki and continues today,” he said.
At the same time, he emphasized that the European perspective for the countries of the region is the only way forward, noting that the path toward the European family must continue with consistency and continuity. In this context, he emphasized that Greece aims to play a leading role in the coming years, leveraging its upcoming presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2027.
As he noted, the Greek side will work to ensure that, during the Presidency, there are tangible results and substantial progress in the accession processes of the Western Balkan countries, reaffirming Athens’ commitment to act as a driving force for European integration in the region.
Concluding his statement, the Foreign Minister noted that three decades have passed since the first conference that launched the framework for cooperation in Southeast Europe. He emphasized that thirty years later, the challenges facing the region make close cooperation among states even more necessary in order to foster conditions of peace, security, and prosperity.
“Today, more than ever, the countries in our region must stand together, cooperate, and foster conditions of peace and prosperity,” Mr. Gerapetritis stated from Sofia.
SOURCE: APE