N. Dendias from Sarajevo: Revisionism has no place in the modern world and can not be tolerated

The message that Greece, as a matter of principle, is opposed to any discussion of border changes in the region, as well as that revisionism has no place in the modern world and this can not be tolerated wherever it comes from, sent Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias made the statement after meeting in Sarajevo with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dr. Bisera Turkovic.

He also reiterated that Greece’s foreign policy is based on the principles of the UN Charter, good neighborly relations, respect for international law and the law of the sea (UNCLOS), to which Bosnia and Herzegovina is a party. as well as respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all states.

Continuing in the same spirit, Nikos Dendias maintained that Sarajevo is the right place in Europe to reiterate that revisionism has no place in the modern world and that it can not be tolerated wherever it comes from, while proposing that “everyone should “Let’s move towards our common European future, of which Bosnia and Herzegovina must be a member.”

At the beginning of his statement, the Foreign Minister thanked his counterpart for informing her about the latest developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and stressed that the solution to the problems of the country, of any country, must come from within, not from outside. In fact, he stressed the need to “always be extremely careful because third parties seek to increase their influence in the region and, unfortunately, their goal is to destabilize our region.”

He made it clear that all partners in the Western Balkans must face external corrosive influences and adhere to European principles and values. In particular, he expressed his satisfaction that Bosnia and Herzegovina has chosen the European principles and values, and expressed the support of Greece in this process.

At the same time, the Foreign Minister reiterated that “we are committed to the stability and security of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

On bilateral relations, the two foreign ministers expressed the desire to develop bilateral co-operation, emphasizing the “untapped potential” of bilateral economic and trade relations. More specifically, Nikos Dendias noted that the popularity of Greece as a tourist destination is increasing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, welcoming the doubling of visitors from this country.

Nikos Dendias made special reference to the energy and specifically to the floating storage and gasification unit (FSRU) in Alexandroupolis, talking about a strategic project and a historic moment of regional energy cooperation.

Regarding the sectors of transport, logistics, connectivity, the Foreign Minister noted that Greece strongly supports investments and projects for the expansion of the Trans-European Transport Network to neighboring countries, including the extension of the Mediterranean Corridor along Corridor V the connection of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the port of Igoumenitsa.

Nikos Dendias also praised the fact that the Greek language is taught in universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In addition, he expressed the desire to further promote bilateral military cooperation.

Referring to the European perspective of the Western Balkans, the Foreign Minister stressed the “great interest” of Greece in promoting the European integration of the entire region, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. In fact, he stressed the urgent need to maintain the momentum of enlargement, and in this regard said that Greece is willing to help Bosnia and Herzegovina to make tangible progress in reforms and demands for its European future and reiterated the country’s will. to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in practice by providing expertise on EU issues in the framework of the bilateral memorandum of cooperation.

At the same time, he praised Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commitment to a closer relationship with the EU, and in particular its foreign and security policy. In this light, as N. Dendias said, they discussed the alignment of Sarajevo with the EU Resolutions especially for the Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Sarajevo was the third stop on the Foreign Minister’s tour of the Western Balkans ahead of the South East European Cooperation Process Summit in Thessaloniki. Asked about the message of his tour of the Western Balkans, the Foreign Minister replied “Greece’s faith in the European future of the Western Balkans”. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a very important country in the Western Balkans, he added, stressing that it is time for the Western Balkans to move to another phase, the phase of co-operation, stability and prosperity. He summed up that because Greece was the first Balkan country to join the EU, it wants to help, in any way it can, others follow this path.

It is noted that Nikos Dendias’s last visit to Sarajevo was in January 2021.

Source: AMPE