Stoidis: Greece's stand on Kosovo unchanged

We firmly believe and that is not just a rhetoric, that Serbia deserved to get a starting date for EU membership talks even last year, Stoidis told Tanjug at a reception on the occasion of the Greek national holiday- Independence Day. That is the reason why Greece plans to assist Serbia in its EU integration process once the country assumes the EU Presidency in the first half of 2014, Stoidis said. That is not just true for Greece, but also for the country that will hold the EU Presidency after us, and that is Italy, which has the similar stand toward Serbia's progress along the EU path, Stoidis said. We are of the opinion that we have already done a lot. It is on us to persuade other partners to show more optimism and not attach new conditions (for EU entry) other than those that every country has to fulfill, the Greek ambassador said. He voiced confidence that 2014 would be the year of true progress for Serbia on its road to joining the EU bloc. Asked whether Greece remains steadfast in its stand that it will not recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, following Romania's announcements that it could review its position, Stoidis said : “Greece's stand remains unchanged.“ Underscoring that he could not speak about the intentions or plans of other countries, Stoidis noted that Greece, as a regional country, would like to see, in agreement with Serbia, better opportunities for all people in the region to improve their everyday lives. If that means business arrangements with Pristina such were the ones in the past, that does not mean that our country is changing its institutional position. Our stand Stoidis:Serbia's prompt accession highly important Greek Ambassador in Belgrade Dimosthenis Stoidis stated on Monday that his country believes Serbia's prompt EU accession is of strategic importance and added that Greece will assert its consistent stand when it takes over the EU chair in the first half of 2014. Recalling that Serbia and Greece established diplomatic ties 140 years ago, the ambassador addressed the reception to mark the Independence Day of Greece by saying that the two nations' relations continuously strengthened throughout the historic events. The reception was attended by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, Director of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Aleksandar Vulin and a number of representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Serbian Armed Forces, the Serbian Orthodox Church and prominent figures from the cultural and public scene. In a speech he delivered in the Serbian language, Ambassador Stoidis wished good health to President Nikolic so that he could respond adequately to various challenges endangering the welfare of the proud and friendly nation of Serbia. During their cooperation and history, Serbia and Greece always shared respect for joint values such as freedom, independence and the spirit of unity, the Greek ambassador said. According to him, the two countries have excellent relations as seen in frequent high-level visits and positive cooperation in the sector of economy, culture and tourism, as well as the common Orthodox religion.