Ioannis Armakolas spoke to Polydeukis Papadopoulos about the outcome of the recent EU–Western Balkans Summit in Tirana.
“There are now signs that the EU is speeding up the enlargement process. This is clear from the bloc looking ahead to the gradual integration of the Western Balkans—an idea that has been around for a long time and is important—in the Summit’s conclusions”, he stressed.
He pointed out that the main problem in the region is Serbia, due to its ambivalent convergence with European decisions, especially in relation to the war in Ukraine, but also regarding disinformation about the EU’s role. At the moment, the conversation on enlargement in Europe is primarily focused on Ukraine, he said, and this should be acknowledged as a problem and addressed in relation to the European perspectives of the Western Balkans.
Turning to Greek-Albanian relations, he stressed that what is needed is a vision shared by the two governments of a new cooperative relationship. In this context, he also mentioned ELIAMEP’s new research project (ALGREE: Albania / Greece Understanding, Connecting, Collaborating).
Click to listen the interview,in Greek.
