Greece puts Western Balkans EU Enlargement back at top of agenda
Greece will make the European Union accession of the Western Balkans a key priority during its Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2027, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said on Friday.
Speaking after talks with Elmedin Konaković in Sarajevo, Gerapetritis said Athens would work to secure tangible progress on the region’s EU integration by the end of its presidency term.
He said the enlargement process had once again become a top European priority, arguing that closer integration of the Western Balkans was in the interests of both the region and the EU.
Gerapetritis reiterated Greece’s longstanding support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans, dating back to the Thessaloniki Agenda, and said EU enlargement must regain momentum and credibility.
He stressed that accession remains conditional on meeting EU criteria, including adherence to the rule of law, international law and good neighbourly relations, while noting that enlargement is also a political process requiring political support.
Referring to Bosnia and Herzegovina, he described EU membership as one of the country’s central political goals and warned against the risks posed by nationalism, revisionism and extremism in the region.
The minister also underlined the Western Balkans’ strategic importance as a bridge between Central Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly amid growing global uncertainty and geopolitical instability.
Gerapetritis reaffirmed Greece’s readiness to provide technical assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path toward EU membership and highlighted the importance of regional cooperation mechanisms in promoting stability and development.
The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, tourism, culture and education, while Gerapetritis announced that direct scheduled flights between Athens and Sarajevo will resume in October.
Source:AMNA
