PRISTINA, June 4 /ATA/ – Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias urged all parties in the EU-facilitated Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to intensify their efforts, in order to reach a viable agreement.
In his remarks at a press conference following meeting with Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla – Schwarz, Greek diplomacy chief stated that a Pristina-Belgrade agreement would stabilize the whole Balkan region, as well as bring the region closer to the European family.
“We fully support the continuation of the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue. I take this opportunity, of my presence here today, to urge, once again, all parties to intensify their efforts, in order to reach a legally binding and viable solution. Such a solution will do miracles to stabilize the whole region, as well as bring the region closer to the European family. I am in very regular contact with my dear friend and former colleague, the EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák. And Greece actively supports all his efforts,” Dendias said.
On her part, Kosovo Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla – Schwarz stated that recognition of Kosovo’s independence by all EU Member states is a must for a long-standing stability in the Balkans.
“We see recognition of our independence by all EU member states as an essential contribution to viable stability in the Balkans. The independence of the Republic of Kosovo is an inalienable fact and the sooner such a fact is accepted, the faster a stable perspective is ensured for the region, as well as Serbia. However, given that Greece sees Kosovo’s independence from a different point of view, we reaffirm commitment to continue intensive dialogue on the issue with Greece and other EU partners. We of course hope that our arguments would convince our partners in a near future so that we can move from this phase of uncertainty in the region to a phase certainty and predictability,” Gërvalla said.
Foreign Minister Gërvalla also informed that she and her Greek counterpart had agreed to advance status of Kosovo’s Office in Athens in order to further deepen cooperation between the two countries.
“The Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Greece gave agreed to take a further step towards closer and more intense exchanges by elevating status of the Athens Office in Pristina so that it handles not only economic relations, but also other areas, including political ties,” she said.
At the press conference, Greek Foreign Minister Dendias reiterated that Greece has steadily been in favor of visa liberalization for Kosovo.
“We believe that the Western Balkans belong to Europe and should be an integral part of the EU. In this regard, we have steadily been in favor of visa liberalization for you, since you have fulfilled the benchmarks set out in the relevant Roadmap. We have openly taken this position in the Council of EU Foreign Ministers. We will continue supporting on these issues,” Dendias said.
Dendias also underlined Greece’s commitment to NATO’s longest standing operation, KFOR, in Kosovo.
Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias is holding talks with Kosovo’s top state officials, including President Vjosa Osmani, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and the Parliament Speaker Glauk Konjufca.
/A.Muçiqi/ KosovaPress/u.sh/
