By Talha Ozturk
BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Greece’s foreign minister on Tuesday urged both Kosovo and Serbia to continue the dialogue.
“The agreements reached so far between the two countries should be implemented,” Nikos Dendias told a joint press conference with his Kosovar counterpart Donika Gervalla-Schwarz during his visit to Kosovo.
He said his visit is an indication of the importance Greece attaches to the region.
“I believe that progress will be instrumental in supporting these aspirations to (join) the EU,” said Dendias.
The Kosovar foreign minister, for her part, said that she welcomed Greece's efforts to reduce tensions between Kosovo and Serbia.
"Greece's role is also very important in its efforts to reduce tensions with Serbia so that the tension can be normalized rather than escalated,” Gervalla-Schwarz said.
She said that Kosovo asked Greece to support its European Union and Commission membership.
"Kosovo is not only in a special position due to the geopolitical developments regarding Serbia, but the fact that Kosovo has the most pro-EU and NATO people in the continent makes it even more special,” Gervalla-Schwarz said.
Greece is among the countries that do not recognize Kosovo, which declared its independence from Serbia unilaterally in 2008, as an independent state.
Kosovo, predominantly inhabited by Albanians, broke away from Serbia in 1999 and declared independence in 2008. It aspires to EU membership and aims to gain a visa-free regime for the EU zone.
But Serbia has not recognized Kosovo’s independence and sees its former province as its territory.