The progress recorded in the issue of EEZ delimitation with Albania was mentioned Kyriakos Mitsotakiswho attended the meeting of the European Union and the Western Balkans, held in Tirana.

“I believe that we are approaching the moment when we will sign an appropriate promissory note to transfer the case to the international court in The Hague,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

Mr. Mitsotakis insisted that Greece has proven that it can resolve such outstanding issues on the basis of international law, and, as he said, we will strive to do so in this case as well.

At the same time, he expressed regret about the weather forecasts. he will not be able to visit areas inhabited by members of the Greek minority. “We will make this visit as soon as possible. I want to visit our emigrants,” he said characteristically.

Regarding the prospect of integration of the Western Balkan states into the European Union, Mr. Mitsotakis expressed his satisfaction as, according to him, this is the first time such a summit is being held in a candidate country, while recalling that the whole process started from Thessaloniki in 2003 .

“Greece continues to support the European perspective of the Western Balkans,” the Prime Minister said.

Finally, with regard to relations with Albania, Mr. Mitsotakis indicated that it was our will to put our bilateral relations on the path of even greater rapprochement.

Full statement by Kyriakos Mitsotakis:

“I want to express my great satisfaction that the European Union-Western Balkans summit is being held for the first time in a country that is a candidate for joining the European family, here in Tirana. I would like to remind you that the process of rapprochement between the Western Balkans and the European Union began in Thessaloniki in 2003.

A lot of time has passed since then, but significant progress has been made recently, and Greece will continue to support the European perspective of all the countries of the Western Balkans, including, obviously, Albania. I am especially pleased that the European family reacted with due geopolitical importance to the rapprochement of the Western Balkans with Europe.

I am also especially pleased that after the Summit I will have official bilateral meetings with the state and political leadership of our friend Albania. This is the first visit of a Greek Prime Minister to Albania since 2009, and this in itself testifies to the fact and the desire of the Greek government, as well as the Albanian government, to take our bilateral relations to a new trajectory of even greater rapprochement.

I will have the opportunity to discuss with my friend, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the question of the delimitation of our maritime zones. Progress has been made recently at the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and I believe that we are now approaching the moment when we will sign an appropriate undertaking to refer the case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Greece has proven that it can resolve such outstanding issues solely under the guidance of international law. And this is what we will strive to do with Albania.

Finally, let me express my regret that due to tomorrow’s weather forecast I will not be able to finally fly by helicopter and visit the villages of the Greek national minority, but I am resuming this visit. I want to meet and visit our expatriates as soon as possible and I believe that we can reschedule this visit as soon as possible.

Thanks a lot.