Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Yerapetritis said that his country supports Serbia’s European Union (EU) membership process.
Yerapetritis, who held official contacts in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, spoke at a joint press conference with his Serbian counterpart Marko Djuric.
Stating that cooperation and dialogue with Serbia will continue strongly, Yerapetritis said, “Greece supports Serbia’s EU membership process for its stability and prosperity. We believe that enlargement should be the priority of the EU.” he said.
Yerapetritis stated that his country also supports the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Process, which is carried out under the mediation of the EU, and that he and his counterpart Djuric discussed the developments in the Middle East.
Stating that he expressed his condolences for the Serbian soldier who lost his life in the attack on the UN Lebanon Interim Peace Force (UNIFIL) serving in the south of Lebanon, Yerapetritis said, “We condemn what happened and reiterate our emphasis on a diplomatic solution.” he said.
Yerapetritis added that a Europe without the Western Balkans is unthinkable.
Serbian Minister Djuric thanked Greece for its support to Serbia in the EU membership process and said, “Our foreign trade volume exceeded 2.2 billion euros in the last 12 months. Our economic relations are also quite good. Greece is one of the countries most preferred by Serbian tourists.” he said.
Stating that Serbia is committed to the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Process but will also fight for the interests of the Serbian people, Djuric stated that they have a special friendship with Greece.
In addition, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, in his post on his social media account after his meeting with Yerapetritis, noted that the cooperation between the two countries will continue strongly.
