Greek FM Gerapetritis urges EU entry for Western Balkans by 2027

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said during a visit to Belgrade that Greece will work to see at least one Western Balkan country join the European Union by the time Greece holds the EU Council presidency in 2027. He highlighted Serbia’s strategic importance and stressed that accession must be tied to progress on rule‑of‑law reforms, alignment with international law and energy‑security cooperation, including the proposed “Straight Corridor” linking the region.

Gerapetritis quoted the 2003 Thessaloniki Agenda as a foundation for the area’s European outlook and described Greece’s role as a southern energy gateway for the Western Balkans, urging accelerated EU‑enlargement efforts to bolster regional peace and stability.