Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias promised Belgrade increased military cooperation and Greek support for Serbian interests in Kosovo.
Dendias visited the Serbian capital on November 5 and met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic. The training of the armed forces, joint exercises, the interconnectedness of innovation systems and scientific cooperation were discussed. Dendias also visited the Military Technical Institute of Serbia (VTI), after which he invited his Serbian counterpart to visit Athens.
"It is always a pleasure and an honor to meet the President of Serbia. In my previous post, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, I visited Serbia five times. I come from Corfu, an island associated with Serbian history, which I know has a special meaning for every Serbian. Dear Bratislava, I also know your personal connection with my homeland. I would like to thank you for that," Dendias was quoted as saying by the Greek Ministry of Defense.
The Greek minister stressed that Athens' position regarding Pristina remains unchanged. Greece does not recognize the independence of Kosovo.
"Progress in dialogue is the only way to ensure stability and prosperity in our region. Greece, of course, supports the mission of the Kosovo Force (KFOR). We participate in the Kosovo Force and are ready to do what is necessary to support stability in the region I would also like to recall the position of Greece in relation to the Western Balkans. Greece supports lasting peace and security through good neighborly relations, respect for the rules of international law and the basic rules of international law. We believe that the countries of the Western Balkans should to become members of the European Union. And, of course, we welcome Serbia's strategic choice to make the path to the European Union a priority. I congratulate Serbia on the progress made and I want the Serbian people to know that they have a real friend in Brussels who is ready to help as much as possible in this process," Dendias added after the bilateral meetings.
"We still have many goals to achieve together, as befits true friends," he is emphatic. | BGNES
