Balkans | Greek Foreign Minister Dendias met with his Serbian counterpart Dacic

Pointing out the importance of making good use of the days when the Balkan countries are getting closer to the European Union, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said that third parties should not be allowed to delay this rapprochement.

Dendias held a joint press conference with his Serbian counterpart, Ivica Dacic, whom he met within the scope of his contacts in the Serbian capital, Belgrade.

Pointing out that Greece supports the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue process, Dendias said, “I will also go to Kosovo. There I will repeat what I said in Belgrade. Greece also supports Serbia’s EU membership process.” He said.

Saying that Serbia is part of the European Union, Dendias said, “We must make good use of these moments when the whole region approaches the European Union and we must not allow third parties to delay it. We believe that all Balkans should have a common future.” He said.

The Greek minister added that bilateral relations with Serbia are also good.

The Serbian minister’s claim that Kosovo’s membership in the European Union will not be included in the process

On the other hand, Serbian Minister Dacic said regarding Kosovo’s application to join the European Union, which submitted its application to the Czech presidency last week, “According to my hearings, the Czech Republic will report that Kosovo has received its application for EU membership, but will not include the application in the process.” Sweden, which is preparing to take over the presidency in the new year, will take care of this. Use phrases.

Dacic pointed out that 5 countries, including Greece, do not recognize Kosovo’s independence, “Although Hungary recognizes Kosovo’s independence, it does not vote for Kosovo in international forums.” He said.

Emphasizing that 27 countries have retracted their decision to recognize Kosovo’s independence, Dacic said: “We know which of the 18 countries are. We will wait for the remaining nine countries to make a statement to show themselves,” he said.

Meanwhile, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated, in his post on his social media account, that he hosted Dendias as part of St. Nicholas Day and said: “Today, I hosted Greek Foreign Minister Dendias and Dacic at my father’s house. Thank you for honoring the Vucic family home with your visit.” Long live the Greek-Serbian friendship. lowered.

Tensions in Kosovo, Serbia

Kosovo Serbs protest the arrest of former Serbian police officer Dejan Pantec KosovoRelations between Serbia and Kosovo continue to be on a tense path due to the checkpoints they have erected at the border crossings in the north of the country.

While Kosovo Serbs continue to stand guard at the barriers they have erected at the border crossings of Yarenje and Brinjak since December 10, the European Union, NATO and the United States of America are calling for de-escalation in northern Kosovo and the removal of the barriers. .

Serbia considers Kosovo, which unilaterally declared its independence in 2008, to be its territory.

Serbia and Kosovo, which clash periodically, are trying to find a common way to normalize relations, and eventually the two countries get to know each other, within the scope of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue process that began in 2011 with the mediation of the European Union.