Greek PM in Belgrade: Athens, Belgrade United by Mutual European Vision

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Aleksandar Vucic (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV/MO)

On Feb. 16, at an evening press conference in Belgrade following his meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that Serbia and Greece are two countries linked by their shared European vision for the Western Balkans and emphasized that official Athens would first and foremost like to see Serbia join the EU.

Mitsotakis further expressed his hope that the conditions for Serbia's accession would be met in the nearest future -- a step he considers essential to peace, stability and cooperation in the region -- adding his personal belief in the future of the Union.

The Greek PM recognized the severity of the reforms required on a country's journey toward the EU, but noted that they were "worth the effort" as "a historical investment" that leads a country to better quality of life. He also recalled that regional cooperation leads to development, which is why the EU is so dedicated to the accession of every Balkan country, and added that the accession of the Western Balkans has been a priority for Greece since 2013.

Mitsotakis announced that the natural gas pipeline connecting Serbia and Bulgaria would soon be finished and that construction of the liquid natural gas terminal in the port of Alexandroupoli was nearing conclusion -- an achievement he stated was momentous not only for Greece but for all of Southeastern Europe as well.

Commenting on relations between Belgrade and Pristina, Mitsotakis reiterated that Greece has not changed its stance on Kosovo, underlining that Athens supports the dialogue and wants the normalization of relations between Serbia proper and Kosovo.