Argumentum’s editorial
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias hasn’t disappointed his closest ally Serbia, reconfirming to the highest officials of Kosovo and its people that Greece does not recognize Kosovo and will stay loyal to Belgrade.
“As you are well aware of, Greece does not recognize Kosovo and its position remains unchanged,” according to a statement released by Greek foreign ministry as Athens’ top diplomat is expected to pay a one-day visit to Pristina during June.
Certainly this reconfirmation of the stance of Greece by its top diplomat has calmed down Serb President Aleksandar Vucic, who has given signals of seeing the latest moves of Greece as getting closer to recognition of Kosovo’s independence.
In the meantime Greek diplomacy tried to please Kosovo officials saying Athens has pursued a constructive approach towards Pristina, mentioning cooperation in economic development and supporting Kosovo in various fields.
“At the same time, it is equally well known that Greece has pursued a constructive approach towards Pristina, hosting since 2019 an “Office of Trade and Economic Affairs of Kosovo in Athens” and works with Kosovo for the enhancement of the cooperation in various fields,” the Foreign Ministry of Greece said as quoted by local media on Tuesday.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Nikos Dendias, paid a visit to Pristina last October, giving a boost to bilateral cooperation, putting emphasis on the economic field, including trade and energy, his office recalled.
“Aiming at further enhancing this cooperation, contact points were appointed i.e. Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Fragoyannis and his counterpart, at the time, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Brajshori and had a teleconference. As a follow up, the 4th Greece-Kosovo Business Forum was held on April 20th, virtually, due to the health crisis,” according to Foreign Ministry of Greece.
In addition the Foreign Ministry said that Greece is supporting Kosovo in its European path and in this context is also supporting visa liberalization. “Greece is also contributing with a considerable number of members of the Hellenic Forces to the KFOR.”
“As a longstanding member of the EU (1981) and NATO (1952), Greece pursues the consolidation of peace, democracy and stability, security and economic development, as well as the rule of law in the Western Balkans’ region, through the establishment of good neighbourly relations and respect for the basic principles of international law. On this background, Greece has been a strong supporter of the European perspective of all the Western Balkan partners, including Pristina, as well as of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue facilitated by the EU,” said Greece’s diplomatic temple.
Amidst all this propaganda noise a question arises: why has Athens created it and is it true the Serbia’a Vucic was really afraid of an eventual recognition of Kosovo by Greece in the near future?
Belgrade-Athens axis is so strong that nothing can break it, and any hearsay on allegations of Greek change of heart in its stance towards Kosovo is demagogic. Yes, Athens tries to make the best to get as much profit as possible when the Western Balkans is heading towards a turbulent situation. Despite what Athens declares officially all its roads lead to Belgrade.
The dilemma is: do really Pristina officials believe in what Greece ‘cooks’ in its coldrunm?
