Greece: Set A Deadline For Western Balkans’ EU Accession Process

Greek Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis reiterated his proposal to give the Western Balkan countries until 2033 to complete the European Union (EU) membership process.

Greece wants to set a deadline for Western Balkans’ EU accession process. Mitsotakis said at the entrance of the EU Western Balkans Summit, “At the summit in Thessaloniki (EU) 19 years ago, the way was opened for the Western Balkans to join the European family. Unfortunately, not much progress has been made since then.”

Stating that the summit is an opportunity for these countries to re-start their membership processes more strongly, Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis stated that the conflict between Bulgaria and North Macedonia must also end for the process to progress.

Arguing that it is important to give a certain time limit for the completion of this process, Mitsotakis said, “My suggestion to the EU Council is to give it until 2033, 30 years after the Thessaloniki Summit. Thus, we can predict that the citizens of (these countries) will become a member of the European family at the end of this long road.”

Mitsotakis noted that Greece will stand by the Western Balkan countries in this process.