The increasing interest of Greece in the Western Balkan countries in the recent period does not go unnoticed. Because the Western Balkans constitutes the most important strategic goal of the Greek foreign policy and its main priority in the region in the current process. As a matter of fact, in June 2022, Athens appointed Sofia Grammata, the country’s Ambassador to Bucharest, as Greece’s Special Representative for the Western Balkans. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also said that they have made a dynamic return to the Western Balkans.[1] Therefore, it can be said that Greece, which does not have very strong relations with the Western Balkan countries, is in an effort to develop its ties with the states of the region.
The fact that Greek membership of the European Union (EU) is an important factor in the development of bilateral relations. It is seen that this is emphasized in the statements made by state officials. In the current process, Athens closely supports the participation of the countries of the region, which have been waiting for EU membership for years. As a matter of fact, Mitsotakis frequently emphasizes the urgency of EU membership and integration of Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, recommending that these countries be given until 2033 to complete their EU membership processes.[2] In this context, while it is a matter of debate how much of an impact Greece will have on the European integration of the Western Balkans, it is no doubt that this will make a positive contribution.
It can be argued that Greece wants to be a solution-finding actor by keeping a balance in the disputed issues in the Western Balkans. From this point, increasing high-level contacts and visits with the Western Balkan countries are considered as an indicator of Greece’s desire to accelerate its bilateral relations with the states of the region.
In this context, Mitsotakis’ visit to Albania, which is considered as one of the most important visits to the countries of the region, to solve the maritime borders problem comes to the fore. Athens wants to solve this problem as soon as possible. On the other hand, Albania’s initiation of participation negotiations with the EU may constitute an important basis for the development of bilateral relations.
One of the countries that Greece attaches importance among the Western Balkan countries is Kosovo. Although Greece does not recognize the independence of Kosovo yet, it is observed that the relations between the two countries have gained a positive momentum recently. As a matter of fact, it is seen that the official visits between the parties have increased reciprocally. As will be remembered, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias visited Pristina in June 2022. The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, also emphasizes that the relations between the two countries are improving day by day. In addition, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the parties in the context of the Greece-Kosovo Business Forum in October 2022.[3] Therefore, it can be said that economic cooperation, together with the visits between Kosovo and Greece, will have a positive effect on the relations between the two countries.
It is very critical for Pristina that Kosovo receives support from Greece in the current process. Because Kosovo applied for EU membership on December 14, 2022. However, Kosovo needs the approval of 27 EU member states to gain EU candidate status and membership. Besides, the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA), Spain, Romania, and Slovakia, including Greece, which are currently an EU member, do not recognize the independence of Kosovo. So, for Kosovo to gain EU membership, it must first be recognized by these countries. In this context, if relations are further developed, Greece’s recognition of Kosovo’s independence may come to the fore. Moreover, if Greece recognizes Kosovo, a similar decision can be expected from the GCA. This can be a development that will facilitate the country’s EU membership path.
It seems essential to resolve the problems on the Pristina-Belgrade line for Greece to recognize the independence of Kosovo. Because Greece does not want to lose Serbia by recognizing the independence of Kosovo. Serbia has been a traditional ally of Greece since the Balkan Wars of the early 20th century. Therefore, Athens can try to be a mediator to find a solution to the problem between the two countries. However, the recent Greek-Kosovo contacts can disturb Serbia. Hence, the possible mediation efforts of Athens, which is trying to balance the relations between the two countries, can fail.
The fact that Greece did not leave any problems with North Macedonia, which it had a name problem before, has been an important development in terms of improving its relations with this country. After signing the Prespa Agreement with Greece, the Skopje administration entered the process of normalizing its relations with Bulgaria, and as a result, started participation negotiations with the EU. However, it is not easy for North Macedonia to solve the identity problem with Bulgaria. This is an issue that will negatively affect the EU membership process of North Macedonia. Therefore, Athens can step in to solve the identity problem between Skopje and Sofia. It can also be said that Athens will continue to support Skopje in the EU membership process.
Greece also accelerates its relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this context, Prime Minister Mitsotakis hosted the newly elected president of the tripartite presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zeljka Cvijanovic, in Athens.[4] Although Greece is a state that supports the EU membership of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it can become a key actor in the solution of political instability in the country, especially through its good relations with the Serbs.
As a result, Greece, which has developed its relations with the Balkan countries, aims to be an actor that will play critical roles in many areas in the region. Therefore, it tries to establish a balance in its relations with the states of the region and tries to open a new page in its relations with the countries with which it has problems, such as Albania. In addition, the issue of energy is also considered as an important factor here. Because Athens tries to come to the forefront in ensuring energy security in the region by turning the energy crisis into an opportunity. However, the effort of Athens to strengthen its relations with the regional capitals does not seem sufficient to make it a solution-finding actor.
[1] “Miçotakis: Yunanistan Batı Balkanlara Dinamik Bir Dönüş Yapıyor”, Euronews, https://tr.euronews.com/2022/06/10/micotakis-yunanistan-bat-balkanlara-dinamik-bir-donus-yap-yor, (Date of Accession: 15.12.2022)
[2] “Yunanistan: Batı Balkanlar’ın AB Üyelik Süreci İçin Süre Belirlensin”, Sputnik, https://sputniknews.com.tr/20220623/yunanistan-bati-balkanlarin-ab-uyelik-sureci-icin-sure-belirlensin-1057814086.html, (Date of Accession: 15.12.2022).
[3] “Greece, Kosovo to Boost Business Cooperation”, E Kathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1196647/greece-kosovo-to-boost-business-cooperation/, (Date of Accession: 16.12.2022).
[4] “PM Meets Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Cvijanovic”, E Kathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1200080/pm-meets-bosnia-and-herzegovinas-cvijanovic/, (Date of Accession: 16.12.2022).
