Dačić talks to Dendias: Greece remains committed to the territorial integrity of Serbia

At a press conference, after his meeting with Minister Dendias, Minister Dačić stated that he had informed his Greek counterpart about the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, and the fact that the Albanian side was not observing the Brussels Agreement. 

“Serbia’s interest is in preserving peace in the region and preventing all possible incidents, in being the factor of peace and stability in the region”, said Minister Dačić.  

Minister Dendias stated that he had reaffirmed Greece’s position on Kosovo in his conversation with Minister Dačić.

“We continue to support the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina with a view to achieving a legally binding solution. Agreements signed in the past are binding, and we must insist on their observance. I will repeat these words in Pristina”, said Minister Dendias.  

He emphasised that cooperation was not just between the Ministers and Governments of the two countries, but also between President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. 

“Greece is committed to further strengthening strategic relations with Serbia in all fields”, stated Minister Dendias. 

Minister Dendias stressed that Greece was advocating for European integration of Serbia and Western Balkans, adding that he believed that Serbia was an integral part of Europe and belonged in the European Union. 

“We want to see Serbia continue its reforms in fundamental fields in accordance with the European agenda, and we will help as much as possible”, stated Minister Dendias.  

Minister Dačić stated that the friendship between Greece and Serbia had a long tradition, and thanked his Greek counterpart for his visit.  

“I have invited Minister Dendias to be our guest today, on Saint Nicholas Day, to get to know Serbian customs and traditions, including the traditional celebration of a family patron saint - slava, which was not just about religion, but the very survival of the Serbian people during the Ottoman occupation, And today is also the name day of Minister Dendias”, said Minister Dačić.  

He also said that he and Minister Dendias would be guests of President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić in his home for his slava.  

Minister Dačić stated that Minister Dačić and Minister Dendias had also talked together to the basketball coach Željko Obradović, whom he described as another connection between Serbia and Greece. He also highlighted that the island of Corfu had a special place in Serbian history.  

He emphasised that he was expecting an intensification of the cooperation between the two countries after the New Year and Christmas celebrations, with various bilateral meetings between Greece and Serbia.  

Minister Dačić stated that he had given an icon representing Saint Nicholas as a gift to Minister Dendias

Minister Dendias thanked Minister Dačić on the gift, saying what an honour it was be for him to be a guest at the slava of Serbian President Vučić, as well as what an honour it was for the Greek people as a whole and for Prime Minister Mitsotakis.  

He said that the discussion had concerned close relations between Serbia and Greece, thanked Minister Dačić for always mentioning Corfu, the island where he was born, and suggested that their next meeting be on that island.  

Minister Dendias talked to Minister Dačić on how to expand regional cooperation, and about organising two trilateral meetings, including one between Greece, Serbia and North Macedonia, and another one between Greece, Serbia and Albania.  

“Our bilateral relations concern various matters - energy, cos, trade, tourism, renewable energy sources. There are many potential fields of our cooperation. We are willing and ready to improve our relations”, emphasised Minister Dendias.  

He added that the current global situation was not peaceful, but that Greece would continue defending its sovereignty.

Minister Dendias thanked Minister Dačić for his earlier statement in Athens and for Serbia's advocacy of the observance of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Greece. 

Source: Tanjug

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs