File photo.
Athens is seeking to sustain momentum for the European Union accession process of Western Balkan states through the Delphi Declaration, signed by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis on the sidelines of the 11th Economic Forum held at the historic site with regional representatives.
Signatories included Serbia’s European Integration Minister Nemanja Starovic, Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca, North Macedonia Deputy Foreign Minister Zoran Dimitrovski, Montenegro Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Ivanisevic, and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s ambassador in Athens, Dragan Vukovic.
The text repeatedly references the 2003 Thessaloniki Agenda, which successive Greek governments invoke to underline commitment to enlargement.
The declaration is also an effort by Greece to project a leading role as fatigue in the region becomes increasingly visible. Western Balkan officials were notably cautious. Starovic suggested that a special relationship with Europe could suffice.
“The ultimate goal is not so much our accession to the EU, but the economic and social cooperation we will have in the future with other EU countries,” he said.
Hoxha said Albania expects to resolve many outstanding issues in talks with the EU by year’s end.
Dimitrovski expressed hope for a solution with Bulgaria similar to that resolving the name dispute with Greece. The cautious tone was expected, reflecting discouraging experiences of recent years.