Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ statements following the talks with the Foreign Minister of Albania, Olta Xhaçka (Tirana, 21.12.2022)

Dear Olta,

It is a great pleasure to be in Tirana again today. Following your visit to Athens earlier in December and, of course, following the Greek Prime Minister’s visit to Tirana a few days ago, I’m meeting you again. My arrival in Tirana today marks my last stop, following my meeting with our colleague, Bujar Osmani in Athens and my trip to Belgrade the day before yesterday and to Pristina yesterday. This demonstrates the high priority that the Greek government, the Mitsotakis government, attaches to Greece’s neighbourhood, a region of great importance to us. And I want to be clear: stability, prosperity, and peaceful coexistence as well as the European perspective of the Western Balkans are our top priorities. It is a great challenge that we must address successfully.

There’s a very concrete step that lies ahead: we must achieve a de-escalation of tension in northern Kosovo. Everyone should demonstrate pragmatism, and a constructive attitude, in order to take the actions required. In my meetings both in Pristina and in Belgrade, the need to continue the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue with the aim of reaching a comprehensive solution was underlined.

Undoubtedly, our meeting today falls within the context of our frequent and constructive contacts. Today we had the opportunity to discuss our bilateral relations, as well. We discussed a very important issue at the political level, namely the acceleration of the dialogue – on the basis of the existing political agreement in principle that we reached here in Tirana two years ago – in order to reach a compromise that will allow us to submit the special agreement referring the issue of the delimitation of the EEZ and the continental shelf to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

I believe that the resolution of this issue, the resolution of the state of war, and the two other agreements on the prevention of border incidents and the maintenance of the border pyramids, will send a message to the international community that International Law and the International Law of the Sea are the basis for resolving all inter-state differences. But I also believe that this significant approach will open a new, great chapter in our excellent, mutual, common relations.

I would also like to point out that the timing of this message is remarkable. Because, unfortunately, revisionist tendencies and disregard for International Law have emerged in various parts of the world, even though we are in the 21st century. And the most obvious is the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

During our meeting, we also discussed the role of the Greek National Minority here in Albania, as well as the Albanian community in Greece. They serve as bridges between our two peoples. And I consider these bridges to be a valuable link between our two countries. Besides, tomorrow’s visit by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will contribute to this direction.

Aside from that, we both emphasized the need to deepen our trade and investment cooperation.

We also discussed cooperation between our countries in the field of environmental protection, particularly in the case of the river Vjosa, or Aoos, as we call it. We have already agreed, I believe, in principle, on a protection program. It will be announced later, in 2023, by our two Prime Ministers. I believe it is quite significant and a very typical example that can also promote environmental awareness, especially among the younger generations.

As expected, we discussed energy. As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the problem is enormous. But the cooperation between Albania and Greece in the electricity sector is an excellent example of good neighborly relations.

And, of course, we agreed that there is fertile ground in Albania for more Greek investment.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you once more for the very good level of cooperation we share in the field of UN candidacies.

Will you allow me, dear Olta, to refer at this point to Albania’s European perspective. I would like to reiterate that Greece has always been a strong supporter of this perspective. It also strongly supports, as I stated earlier, the accession perspective of all the Western Balkans; of course, in the context of a fair conditionality, strict but fair.

This is the message I conveyed to Belgrade, this is the message I conveyed to Pristina, as well as to our colleague, the Foreign Minister of North Macedonia. And I would like to reaffirm, from here in Tirana, my country’s absolute readiness to provide any accession assistance to Albania in any area deemed useful.

Because we believe that this path is in fact our sole option and is of utmost importance at the current juncture, in which revisionist forces have emerged and wish to return to other times, other eras, and other perceptions. These revisionist forces are attempting to approach the Western Balkans with the ultimate goal, I fear, not of cooperation, but of creating spheres of influence that are not in line with the European acquis, the European perspective, or European values.

This is where we believe we can be of assistance. I mean in dealing with it. Because the European edifice has ensured progress, stability, prosperity, and cooperation in most of Europe for many decades; with solid foundations, new principles, International Law, and respect for human rights.

Therefore, I reiterate for the third time that the European perspective of Albania and the Western Balkans is a one-way street.

Dear Minister,

Later today I will have the honor to attend a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Edi Rama. I thank him for this kind gesture. It is a testament to our close relations.

I will visit the Arsakeio Greek-Albanian College, as well as the Protagonists School here in Tirana later on. I believe that the operation of these schools is yet another proof of the close ties between our two countries in the field of education as well.

Dear Olta,

Thank you once again for your warm hospitality. It is a pleasure to be in Tirana, and I look forward to our next meeting soon. I hope I will have the opportunity to host you in Athens.

Thank you.