Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis called for the acceleration of the Western Balkans’ European integration during the Berlin Process Summit held in London, emphasizing that “the only sure path to peace and prosperity in the region is through the European family.”
Speaking after the meeting, Gerapetritis described the Berlin Process as “a crucial forum for Europe’s future,” and reiterated Greece’s longstanding support for the Western Balkans’ EU accession. “The Western Balkans must accelerate their progress toward the EU, and the European Union must do everything possible to help them achieve it,” he said.
The minister stressed that Europe is facing multiple global challenges—including migration, security threats, food shortages, and climate crises—and that “national and regional issues are increasingly becoming global.” He added that deeper European integration remains “the only realistic solution” to ensure long-term stability and prosperity in the region.
On the war in Ukraine, Gerapetritis noted that Russia’s invasion “has fundamentally changed Europe’s mindset,” shifting the continent “from a political and economic bloc to a genuine geopolitical power.”
He concluded that this transition requires greater cooperation, investment in defense, and a shared vision of strategic autonomy, urging support for countries on the EU’s doorstep to strengthen their resilience against external interference.
