Athens
, 20 November 2009
Journalist: Mr. Papandreou stated at the Brussels Summit Meeting that “the countries of the Western Balkans will accede to the EU in 2014” (a year of symbolic importance: the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I). What does this year symbolize? And what can you say about Greece’s role in this mission? And what specific support will Greece provide?
Mr. Droutsas: Allow me to remind you that Greece has always supported – and remains at the vanguard of – the European course of the Balkans towards the EU. It was under the 2003 Greek Presidency of the EU that the Thessaloniki Agenda was formulated, and the Thessaloniki Agenda has to date been the roadmap and compass for the courses of all of the countries of the Western Balkans towards the EU. Today, following an admittedly difficult period of reflection regarding the Union, we believe that new momentum must be imparted to this perspective. Greece is dynamically taking the lead again and guiding the region’s accession perspective. The Greek Prime Minister is proposing “Agenda 2014”, a political target date that will revitalize the European perspective of the Western Balkans, creating a new momentum for reforms in the countries of the region and renewing the European Union’s commitment to the Balkans. We proposed 2014 as the target date; a date with strong symbolic significance, as it is the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I, back to which many of the persistent problems that have plagued our region can be traced. 2014 can become the year that will symbolize the hope and the realization of the region’s European vision. The Western Balkans are an intrinsic part of the European Union, and their incorporation in to the European family is our duty.
Journalist: What is the importance of the accession of the Western Balkans to the Europe of tomorrow?
Mr. Droutsas: The European Union is perhaps the most successful peace project in history. The importance of the accession of the Western Balkans to the EU is reflected in every country in our Southeast European neighbourhood, and, of course, in the European Union itself. It is the crowning of your efforts, and it marks the course to a better tomorrow. It means tangible proof of the consolidation and deepening of democratic institutions, the success of reforms, the strengthening of good neighbourly relations. It means equal participation in the European family. The people of the Balkans are getting a say in the decisions taken by the Union. The accession of the countries of the Western Balkans to the EU means – for our neighbourhood – fresh impetus for regional cooperation based precisely on European principles and values. It means new prospects for bilateral cooperation. For the European Union, the accession of the countries of the Western Balkans is the realization of the vision for the region and the real achievement of the peaceful unification of the Old World. It means the consolidation of peace, stability and prosperity in Europe.
Journalist: Will any of the Balkan countries be left out of the EU accession perspective?
Mr. Droutsas: What I have said so far leaves no room for misinterpretation regarding the will and the complete support of the European Union, as well as of the individual member states, for the European perspective of the countries of the Western Balkans. That is the essence of “Agenda 2014”: for the peoples of the Balkans to get the clear message that their immediate future lies in Europe. But we have to be clear. EU accession – which is supported by the vast majority of the peoples of the Western Balkans – presupposes full compliance with European criteria and prerequisites. There can be no exceptions on this course, and in the end this benefits the peoples of the region themselves. The adoption of European principles and values is a matter of comprehensive implementation. The message is clear: Success is in your hands, and Greece will support your European vision.
Journalist: A few days ago, the EU accepted Albania’s application for accession candidate status. What is the significance of this for Albania? Is it a real indication of quick accession to the EU?
Mr. Droutsas: The decision we took recently in the Council for referral of Albania’s application to the European Commission for an opinion reaffirms the European Union’s support for the European future of your country. Of course, it is up to Albania to continue its efforts and promote the necessary reforms, which the European Union will note objectively.
I hope we will soon see Albania’s inclusion in the relaxed visa regime, as tangible proof of the recognition of Albania’s efforts on the path to European integration.
On this path, Greece will stand by its friends, the Albanian people, whom we hope to welcome soon into the European family.
Journalist: In your capacity as Alternate Foreign Minister of Greece, how do you see current Greek-Albanian relations (in foreign policy, economy, culture), as compared to the relations under the Karamanlis government? What is the forecast for the future course of our bilateral relations?
Mr. Droutsas: The new government’s goal is for Greece to once again play the leading role in its neighbourhood. To regain a strong voice in international issues. With “Agenda 2014” we have already set the tone and indicated that the Western Balkans are a high priority for us. And naturally, one of the most important countries in the region – with whom our relations are of great importance to us – is Albania.
Greek-Albanian relations have evolved qualitatively with the passing of time, and are currently at a very good level. A basic achievement is the reserve of mutual trust that the political forces on both sides of the border have managed to create. This achievement must be guarded and utilized so that we can broaden and strengthen our cooperation in all sectors of inter-state relations. This is the direction our government is moving in. Both in the context of our cooperation in NATO, as well as in the light of your country’s European perspective, I cannot but be optimistic about the further prospects for our bilateral relations.
Journalist: Is the liberalization of the visa regime for Albanian citizens on the Papandreou government’s agenda?
Mr. Droutsas: The new Greek government clearly supports the abolition of the visa requirement for all the countries of the Western Balkans, without exception. This naturally presupposes that the relevant criteria be met, and we hope that this will soon be completed for Albania as well. The vision of the visa waver for citizens of the countries of the Western Balkans was set down for the first time in the Thessaloniki Agenda, which was adopted under the 2003 Greek EU Presidency. Since then, Greece has been promoting the issue systematically, as evident in the 5 measures we proposed in November 2007, which expressly provided for the shaping of a roadmap that will lead to the liberalization of the visa regime, as tangible proof of the European perspective of the peoples of the Western Balkans.
As of 19 December 2009, three countries of the Western Balkans have already been incorporated into the visa waiver system. I want to take the opportunity of today’s interview to encourage Albania to continue with the necessary reforms and to meet the relevant criteria, so that the visa waiver can be extended to Albania within 2010. This will be a decisive step on the approach to the great European family and accession to the EU. It is of particular importance that the citizens of Albania be able to travel unhindered within the EU space – the space of its immediate future.