G. GERAPETRITIS: We met today in London for the Berlin Process. It is an extremely important forum, which concerns the future of the Western Balkans, the future of Europe itself. Greece is always advocating for achieving progress in the Western Balkans’ accession process and is at the forefront of initiatives, today more than ever. The Western Balkans, which are currently on the path to the European Union, should accelerate their course. Τhe European Union, on its part, should do everything in its power so that the Western Balkans become a place of peace and prosperity. This can only be achieved within the European family. This is an urgent need, since today we are confronted with many challenges, global problems and growing nationalism. The path towards the European family must be accelerated. Greece will take steps in this direction with a series of initiatives.
JOURNALIST: Did you discuss more specifically about migration flows?
G. GERAPETRITIS: We discussed about migration, about the actual and multiple security challenges. Security also concerns hybrid threats. We face the food crisis, the climate crisis and health crises. At this moment we face an extremely difficult situation with multiple challenges. Our discussions focused on all these issues. National or regional crises are adopting a universal character and local or national problems always become geopolitical. This development further complicates relations between states. The only solution that would foster prosperity in the region, generate a greater dividend for everyone, bring about a greater convergence between peoples and states, would be integration, namely the path of the Western Balkans towards the European family. We share common challenges, we have major common problems and we must tackle them jointly.
JOURNALIST: Minister, we understand that the war in Ukraine was also discussed on the sidelines of the Summit.
G. GERAPETRITIS: The war in Ukraine is on the agenda of every discussion. Because it has changed our way of thinking in Europe. Our way of thinking has been altered due to the complete change of conditions and circumstances, following the attack on the borders of Europe, within Europe itself, with Russia's attack on Ukraine. First of all, Europe is evolving from an economic and political pillar to a geopolitical one. This means more synergies. It means more investments in the European defense and, above all, a different vision for a strategically autonomous Europe. This strategic autonomy also includes encouraging the states that are on their course to the European Union to face any challenges and foreign intervention aimed at leading them to different paths.
October 22, 2025