Greece reaffirms support for Western Balkans’ EU future
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis reaffirmed Greece’s steadfast support for the European integration of the Western Balkans during talks with North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski in Athens.
Gerapetritis emphasized that Greece remains committed to advancing regional stability and prosperity, noting that since the 2003 Thessaloniki Agenda, Greece has played a key role in pushing forward the region’s EU accession path.
Highlighting the importance of the Prespa Agreement, he called for its full and consistent implementation, including the use of North Macedonia’s constitutional name in all contexts.
Greece, he added, backed North Macedonia’s NATO membership in 2020 and is eager to deepen cooperation within the Alliance. The two countries are also enhancing collaboration in trade, investment, transport, and energy networks—areas further supported by the EU’s Western Balkans Development Plan.
As a current UN Security Council member, Greece is working with all nations, including North Macedonia, to uphold global peace and security, Gerapetritis noted.
Mucunski praised the discussions as “sincere and constructive,” underscoring that ties with Greece are vital for both bilateral and regional cooperation. He thanked Greece for its unwavering EU support and expressed gratitude for the country's assistance during recent emergencies in Kocani and Doiran, calling them “acts of true friendship.”
Both ministers stressed the importance of ongoing cooperation in regional security, energy, infrastructure, and support for Ukraine.
