"Europe mustn't forget Western Balkans"

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis says that Europe must not forget about Serbia and the Western Balkans.

Izvor: FoNet

Tuesday, 22.09.2009.

15:00

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Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis says that Europe must not forget about Serbia and the Western Balkans. Bakoyannis told daily Vecernje Novosti that Europe must provide firm support to these countries. "Europe mustn't forget Western Balkans" Therefore, she strongly supports the holding of a EU-Western Balkan conference, which was recently proposed by the Swedish EU Presidency. “Greece is a strong and committed partner to Serbia on her path to EU membership and an advocate of her interests in overall international relations,” the minister said. “Greece's position is very well-known. As far as we are concerned, everything is clear. When it comes to Holland, we cannot exert pressure. But every chance we get, we try to explain to our Dutch colleagues that it is very important for Serbia to be closer to the EU and that the Interim Trade Agreement and the SAA should be unblocked, “ she explained. Bakoyannis said she hoped that the Dutch parliament would change its opinion. “We’ll keep working on that, and we hope something will change,” the minister said. “The region needs help. A very clear message needs to be sent that the EU hasn’t forgotten the Balkans. It’s very important for this to be the EU’s united message, and to the whole of the Balkans,” she stressed. Dora Bakoyannis (FoNet, archive)

"Europe mustn't forget Western Balkans"

Therefore, she strongly supports the holding of a EU-Western Balkan conference, which was recently proposed by the Swedish EU Presidency.

“Greece is a strong and committed partner to Serbia on her path to EU membership and an advocate of her interests in overall international relations,” the minister said.

“Greece's position is very well-known. As far as we are concerned, everything is clear. When it comes to Holland, we cannot exert pressure. But every chance we get, we try to explain to our Dutch colleagues that it is very important for Serbia to be closer to the EU and that the Interim Trade Agreement and the SAA should be unblocked, “ she explained.

Bakoyannis said she hoped that the Dutch parliament would change its opinion.

“We’ll keep working on that, and we hope something will change,” the minister said.

“The region needs help. A very clear message needs to be sent that the EU hasn’t forgotten the Balkans. It’s very important for this to be the EU’s united message, and to the whole of the Balkans,” she stressed.

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