Papoulias: Greece will always stand by Serbia

BELGRADE Visiting Greek President Karolos Papoulias said late on Tuesday in Belgrade that his country "will always stand by Serbia." Greece will "offer Serbia assistance in understanding and implementing European standards," he said as he met with Serbian Parliament Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic. Papoulias: Greece will always stand by Serbia Papoulias underscored that Serbia demonstrated "great courage" in talks on Kosovo and Metohija and voiced confidence that European partners, but also the authorities in Pristina, will know to appreciate that, the parliament speaker's office announced. Be assured that Greece will give you comprehensive assistance in understanding and implementing EU standards. In other words, we will always stand by you, as has been the case so far, Papoulias said. Stefanovic extended thanks for Greek's principled stance, and its refusal to recognize Kosovo. He noted that the Greek president's visit is a good opportunity to underscore the traditional friendship between the two countries and two peoples, adding that Greece has always been a sincere friend of Serbia. The EU is Serbia's priority, but the country also attaches great importance to regional cooperation, Stefanovic said. A positive decision by the EU would be also important for potential investors, Stefanovic said, voicing expectation that the judiciary reform, fight against corruption and organized crime, would be accepted as an argument and proof that Serbia is ready for membership negotiations with the EU, the Serbian parliament speaker said. He placed a special emphasis on the Twinning project in which Greece is a partner country to Serbia in harmonizing its laws with the EU Acquis. Commenting on the talks that he had with Greek Parliament Speaker Evangelos Meimarakis, Stefanovic voiced satisfaction with an agreement aimed at strengthening the parliamentary cooperation even further. Stefanovic also voiced thanks for Greek's principled stance to refuse to recognize Kosovo's independence, noting that is one of the most important strategic issues for this country, the release notes. Papoulias greeted members of the parliamentary group of friendship with Greece, saying that they could contribute greatly to further improvement in excellent relations, adding that he was very pleased to hear that cooperation between the two parliaments will soon deepen even further. Noting that Meimarakis is a great friend of Serbia, Papoulias said that the parliament could often do more that the government and ministers themselves and that the parliament's decisions are often met with greater approval by the people. Papoulias noted that the relations between Greece and Serbia are excellent, adding that EUR 2.5 billion in Greek investments in Serbia are quite impressive taking into account the current situation in Greece. Karolos Papoulias and Ivica Dacic (Tanjug) Dacic expects "positive reaction" Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic informed Greek President Karolos Papoulias about the activities Serbia is conducting to meet the conditions for EU membership and added that he expects "a positive reaction from Brussels." "We made a decision of historic importance for Serbia's future and regional security, and we expect the reaction of the EU to be positive," the prime minister said. The Greek president underscored that the two nations share traditionally friendly ties, and noted that Greece supports Serbia's EU path. According to a release issued by the government's Office for Cooperation with the Media, Dacic conferred with Papoulias over the possibilities for enhancement the two countries' cooperation. The Greek president is on a two-day visit to Serbia, started on Tuesday. Tanjug

Papoulias: Greece will always stand by Serbia

Papoulias underscored that Serbia demonstrated "great courage" in talks on Kosovo and Metohija and voiced confidence that European partners, but also the authorities in Priština, will know to appreciate that, the parliament speaker's office announced.

Be assured that Greece will give you comprehensive assistance in understanding and implementing EU standards. In other words, we will always stand by you, as has been the case so far, Papoulias said.

Stefanović extended thanks for Greek's principled stance, and its refusal to recognize Kosovo.

He noted that the Greek president's visit is a good opportunity to underscore the traditional friendship between the two countries and two peoples, adding that Greece has always been a sincere friend of Serbia.

The EU is Serbia's priority, but the country also attaches great importance to regional cooperation, Stefanović said.

A positive decision by the EU would be also important for potential investors, Stefanović said, voicing expectation that the judiciary reform, fight against corruption and organized crime, would be accepted as an argument and proof that Serbia is ready for membership negotiations with the EU, the Serbian parliament speaker said.

He placed a special emphasis on the Twinning project in which Greece is a partner country to Serbia in harmonizing its laws with the EU Acquis.

Commenting on the talks that he had with Greek Parliament Speaker Evangelos Meimarakis, Stefanović voiced satisfaction with an agreement aimed at strengthening the parliamentary cooperation even further.

Stefanović also voiced thanks for Greek's principled stance to refuse to recognize Kosovo's independence, noting that is one of the most important strategic issues for this country, the release notes.

Papoulias greeted members of the parliamentary group of friendship with Greece, saying that they could contribute greatly to further improvement in excellent relations, adding that he was very pleased to hear that cooperation between the two parliaments will soon deepen even further.

Noting that Meimarakis is a great friend of Serbia, Papoulias said that the parliament could often do more that the government and ministers themselves and that the parliament's decisions are often met with greater approval by the people.

Papoulias noted that the relations between Greece and Serbia are excellent, adding that EUR 2.5 billion in Greek investments in Serbia are quite impressive taking into account the current situation in Greece.

Dačić expects "positive reaction"

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić informed Greek President Karolos Papoulias about the activities Serbia is conducting to meet the conditions for EU membership and added that he expects "a positive reaction from Brussels."

"We made a decision of historic importance for Serbia's future and regional security, and we expect the reaction of the EU to be positive," the prime minister said.

The Greek president underscored that the two nations share traditionally friendly ties, and noted that Greece supports Serbia's EU path.

According to a release issued by the government's Office for Cooperation with the Media, Dačić conferred with Papoulias over the possibilities for enhancement the two countries' cooperation.

The Greek president is on a two-day visit to Serbia, started on Tuesday.