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Friday, June 30, 2017

Deputy Foreign Minister I. Amanatidis participates in the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit Meeting (Dubrovnik)

Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Amanatidis is in Dubrovnik to participate in the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit Meeting that convened there yesterday.During his intervention at the Meeting of Foreign Ministers, Mr. Amanatidis made the reminder that "Greece remains a firm supporter of the Enlargement Policy and agrees with the need to keep the process alive. We have spared no effort to support the European perspective of the Western Balkans," he continued, reiterating that "the Western Balkan region as a whole is also welcome to join NATO, provided the necessary conditions are met."Mr. Amanatidis also explained that "nationalism remains the main obstacle to trust, reconciliation and good neighbourly relations." Referring to the security challenges in Southeast Europe, he underscored that "Greece supports the efforts of the Global Coalition to confront the Islamic State, participating in the Stabilisation Working Group."Mr. Amanatidis focused on the handling of the refugee crisis, noting that "Greece is the European country that has come under the most pressure," and adding that "we are doing our best to improve the situation of the refugees, to ensure their prosperity and to treat them in the most humane manner."Addressing the SEECP Summit Meeting, Mr. Amanatidis stressed Greece's strong economic presence in Southeast Europe – a presence putting it among the major trade and investment partners in the region – noting, in conclusion, that "through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the Ionian Adriatic Pipeline IAP and the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), Southeast Europe will have access to major Western European hubs."The SEECP Summit Meeting was attended by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Mogherini, the President of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Vučić, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria and the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Romania, FYROM, Slovenia, Kosovo, Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro.


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