Sakellaropoulou: European Perspective of Western Balkans A Strategic Priority for Greece

Vladimir Orlic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou (BETAPHOTO/AMIR HAMZAGIC)

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said in Belgrade on March 28 that the European perspective of the Western Balkans was Greece's strategic priority and that joining the EU would prevent "the influence of third parties" in the region.

"We see that Western Balkans as a part of Europe. Joining the EU would secure peace, security for the region while at the same time prevent the influence of third parties that would like to intervene in this area for their own reasons," she told journalists after a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Greece, she added, sees Serbia as belonging to the European family and supports the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. "Greece's position on Kosovo remains unchanged. Pressures in diplomacy always exist, but this hasn't affected our stance, with have consistency in our policy," she reiterated adding that Athens was ready to help Belgrade and Pristina implement their agreement.

She stressed that the implementation of the joint declaration on strategic partnership needed to be stepped up for the welfare of Serbia and Greece, but also the Balkans.