Greece supports EU enlargement and the European perspective of the Western Balkans as a strategic investment in peace, stability and security in the region, government sources said ahead of Wednesday’s EU-Western Balkans Summit in Brussels. The same sources noted that Greece’s firm position is accompanied by the already known conditionality, namely that the candidate countries mustfulfi , meet all the criteria and implement the required reforms – a difficult and painful process, which depends on the performances of the candidate countries themselves.
During his speech on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to make special reference to Serbia and the need to for the EU to send a positive signal regarding its European direction, as, despite its shortcomings, it has recently demonstrated a commitment to the goal of European accession, given that no new chapters in Serbia’s accession negotiations have been opened since 2021.
In addition, according to the same sources, Mitsotakis is expected to underline Serbia’s crucial role in the region and to issue a warning that downgrading its European perspective simply leaves the doors open for third parties, who are waiting for this opportunity to exert influence over Serbia and negatively affect stability in the entire region. The Greek premier will also point out that Serbia’s European orientation is a geopolitical necessity, and that Serbia’s connection to Europe strengthens the stability of the entire region, arguments he outlined in a related letter addressed to EU leaders and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa.
The issue of Ukraine is expected to be discussed on Thursday and Friday, during the European Council meeting, with the prime minister repeating the need to continue supporting Ukraine, so as not to be in a position of weakness whenever peace talks begin. As far as the Middle East is concerned, and especially on the subject of Syria, Athens’ position is to support the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria and an inclusive future that will protect all religious minorities and ethnic groups in Syria. In fact, Mitsotakis is expected to underline that the EU cannot be absent from developments in the Middle East and from the next day in Syria, as there are threats to security and a danger of increased refugee flows.
Additionally, the prime minister is expected to inform his European partners about his visit to Lebanon, as he was the first European leader to visit the country after the truce reached on November 27 with Israel, but also to point out that the EU must support the Lebanese state institutions and the effective implementation of the ceasefire.
