Western Balkans: European Perspective

The Council and the European Council have repeatedly confirmed that the Western Balkans have a clear European perspective, which is a key factor for the stability, reconciliation and development of the region. The European perspective is a key incentive for the Partners in the region to make continuous efforts for internal reforms, with a view to adopting European standards and the common values of the Union, based on peace, freedom, democracy, rule of law, tolerance, solidarity and good neighborly relations.

A milestone for the European perspective of the Western Balkans was the Agenda of Thessaloniki, which was adopted during the Greek Presidency of the EU in 2003. The perspective of the Western Balkans joining the EU is a strategic choice of Greece.

It is emphasized, of course, that Greek support for this perspective is not unconditional. On the contrary, the urgent need for strict fulfillment of all the Copenhagen criteria and the fixed conditions and prerequisites (conditionality) set by the accession process, the Stabilization and Association Process and the relevant Council decisions is emphasized in every context. An integral part of permanent conditionality is, inter alia, good neighborly relations and regional cooperation.

The common framework governing EU relations with our Partners in the Western Balkans, until the moment of their accession to the EU, is the Stabilization and Association Process, in the framework of which Stabilization and Association Agreements have been signed respectively with the EU.  These are comprehensive agreements, which include political and trade aspects. A Stabilization and Association Agreement was also signed with Kosovo, but only of an EU nature, which does not affect the positions of the Member States on Kosovo status and does not require ratification by the National Parliaments of the Member States, as the latter are not parties to the Agreement.

Greece supports the European perspective of the Western Balkans, in the context of strict but fair conditionality and on the basis of the principle of the same performance. More specifically:

REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN MACEDONIA

It has been a candidate country since December 2005. A Stabilization and Association Agreement was signed in 2001, which entered into force in 2004, following its ratification by the Member States. Moreover, following appropriate reform measures by Skopje, the EU decided to release visas for the country's citizens on 19/12/2009.

The European Council of 26 March 2020 endorsed the General Affairs Council Conclusions of 25 March 2020 on the opening of EU accession negotiations with the Republic of Northern Macedonia on the basis of the new Enlargement Methodology.

In its Report on the Republic of Northern Macedonia, for the year 2020, the European Commission notes that, despite the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country continued to show its commitment and achieved tangible and sustainable results in the key priority areas. In particular, it points out that "good neighborly relations and regional cooperation remain essential elements of the enlargement process". In fact, the importance of achieving tangible results and the implementation, in good faith, of bilateral agreements, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty on Good Neighborly Relations with Bulgaria, are recalled.

The draft Negotiating Framework of the Republic of Northern Macedonia with the EU was launched by the Commission on 1 July 2020 and is in the final stage before its adoption. Our country considers that the, in good faith, implementation of the Prespa Agreement must be clearly monitored and ensured both in the context of the whole accession process, as well as in the implementation of the acquis of each of the negotiating funds.

Our country supports in practice the European perspective of the Republic of Northern Macedonia. It has signed with it, on April 2, 2019, a bilateral memorandum of cooperation to accelerate its European integration and is in constant contact to continue the provision of know-how, primarily through the use of EU funds (TAIEX Programs).

REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA

It is a candidate country and applied for membership in April 2009. The Republic of Albania was declared a candidate country for accession during the Greek Presidency after the ratification by the European Council on 26-27.6.14 of the relevant decision of the General Affairs Council on 24.6.14. It has signed a Stabilization & Association Agreement with the EU, which entered into force in 2009. Moreover, following appropriate reform measures by Tirana, the EU decided to issue visas for Albanian nationals on 15.12.2010.

The European Council of 26 March 2020 endorsed the General Affairs Council Conclusions of 25 March 2020 on the start of EU accession negotiations with Albania, based on the new Enlargement Methodology. The draft Albania's Negotiating Framework was launched by the European Commission on 1 July 2020 and is in the final stage before being adopted by the European Affairs Council.

In its 2020 report on Albania, the European Commission notes that during the period under review, both the political leadership and the public opinion of the country have been committed to related reforms. The European Commission, also, notes that Albania has made "decisive progress and is close to meeting the prerequisites set by the Council on 25 March for convening the first Intergovernmental Conference".

Greece supports Albania's European perspective, stressing, of course, the importance of meeting the relevant conditions and prerequisites, with particular emphasis on the Copenhagen political criteria, including the rule of law, minority rights and fundamental freedoms, and property rights. Greece appreciates the efforts made by Albania to meet the prerequisites of the March 2020 Conclusions and calls on it to maintain this constructive mood in view of the possible convening of the 1st EU-Albania Intergovernmental Conference.

In the context of our practical support to Albania, a Bilateral Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on 15.7.2015 for the provision of know-how and the acceleration of the country's accession to the EU.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

It is a potential candidate country, which has applied for EU membership in February 2016. A Stabilization and Association Agreement with the Union was signed in 2008, which has been ratified by the Member States and the EU and entered into force on 1.6.2015. Following appropriate reform measures by Sarajevo, the EU decided to release visas for the country's citizens on 15.12.2010. On December 10, 2019, the General Affairs Council adopted conclusions on Bosnia and Herzegovina, which contain 14 priority areas for the necessary reforms in the country.

In its 2020 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Commission emphasizes the need to step up efforts to promote reforms, in particular in the critical areas of the rule of law, democratic institutions, fundamental rights and justice and modernization of Public Administration. These areas are included in the 14 priorities set by the Commission as a prerequisite, in its Opinion in 2019, to promote the country's European perspective. In addition, the Commission emphasizes the importance of further improving the level of alignment with EU decisions on CFSP issues.

Greece supports the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing the importance of promoting the reforms deemed necessary to further strengthen and promote the country's relations with the EU. As part of our practical support, Greece signed with Bosnia and Herzegovina, on April 13, 2013, a Bilateral Memorandum of Cooperation to provide know-how and accelerate the EU accession process.

KOSOVO * (based on UNSCR 1244)

Although the state entity of Kosovo is not recognized by all EU Member States, all EU member states accept that it has a clear European perspective, "based on the European perspective of the entire Western Balkans region". On October 27, 2015, the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) was signed between the EU and Kosovo, which concerns, however, only areas of EU competence (EU-only agreement), as the Member States are not parties to it. The Agreement entered into force on 1 April 2016. The EU has taken concrete initiatives to boost Kosovo's economic and political development. At the same time, the EU has developed in Kosovo the largest civilian mission, EULEX, which aims to assist and strengthen the Kosovo Authorities in the field of Rule of Law.

In its 2020 Report on Kosovo, the European Commission reiterates the need to intensify reform efforts in the areas of the rule of law, administrative reform and the fight against corruption and organized crime, and proposes a Council decision on visa liberalization. The lifting of 100% tariffs imposed by Kosovo on imports of products from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina has been hailed by the Commission as a positive step in consolidating good neighborly relations.

In particular, regarding the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, the Commission, in its Reports on both Serbia and Kosovo in 2020, notes positively its resumption in early July 2020. The Commission emphasizes, also, the need to step up efforts to make substantial progress towards a comprehensive and legally binding agreement, which is crucial for the European perspective of both Serbia and Kosovo.

Greece supports Kosovo's European perspective by taking a constructive stance and contributing to the adoption of practical measures to promote relations with the EU, but also to strengthen political and economic development, based on a neutral approach to the Kosovo status. At the same time, Greece places special emphasis on the promotion of the rule of law and the protection of the cultural and religious heritage in this region. Finally, Greece, in the context of its constructive stance, is in favor of the acceptance by the Council of the EU of the Commission's proposal for the liberalization of the visa regime for the Schengen area for Kosovars.

* This name is without prejudice to the positions of the regime and is in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244/1999 and the Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the declaration of independence of Kosovo.