The President of the Hellenic Republic participatedtoday in the proceedings of the European Union–Western Balkans Summit, whichtook place in Tivat, Montenegro.
In his intervention at the Plenary Session of theAssembly, Mr. Tassoulas reaffirmed Greece’s unwavering support for the Europeanperspective of the Western Balkan countries, provided that the necessaryconditions and prerequisites are met, with an emphasis on good neighborlyrelations and adherence to international law, including binding international treaties.
In this context, the President of the HellenicRepublic expressed Greece’s positions regarding the issue of the gradualintegration of the Western Balkan countries into the European Union, stressingthat the accession process of the region will be a central priority of theGreek Presidency of the EU Council during the second half of 2027.
Following the conclusion of the proceedings of theSummit, Mr. Tassoulas made the following statement:
“The summit between the European Union and thesix Western Balkan partners seeking their accession to Europe has concluded.
During the Summit, ways and methods were examined toaccelerate the accession process of the Western Balkans toward Europe, aprocess which, I would remind you, began 23 years ago in Thessaloniki, at theJune 2003 Summit, when, for the first time, the progress of the Western Balkanswas linked to their path towards the European Union.
Our country, as is well known, all these years, fromThessaloniki onward, has consistently, steadfastly and thoroughly supported theWestern Balkans’ path toward Europe. It offers expertise and any otherassistance needed to achieve this.
Ideas and proposals were discussed so that thisprocess, both in terms of the gradual integration of the Western Balkans intoEurope and the enlargement process of the partners themselves toward Europe,could become more effective and faster.
We have once again expressed our will for theaccession of these partners to the European Union for the additional reasonthat this accession is not merely a matter of European interest, which includesGreece as well, but also a matter of national interest, because it ispreferable for our northern neighbors to operate within a Europeaninstitutional framework.
Additionally, I emphasized that our country, takingthe baton from this important summit, when the time comes for its ownPresidency of the EU Council, in the second half of 2027, will keep very highon the agenda of the European accession of the Western Balkans.”
