Greece, Austria's letter to EU

Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas and Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger stressed in a joint letter addressed to the European Union's Foreign minister Catherine Ashton and all their European counterparts that "Greece and Austria, neighbouring countries from the north and south to the countries of the Western Balkans, are observing the developments with special interest and note the progress achieved in past years, since these countries have adopted the European agenda. However, the political, economic and social problems remain and many doubts are being expressed about the European perspective of the Western Balkans."

The two ministers pointed out that a "new momentum is required now to make more effective the political messages that will be sent."

Greece and Austria, with their joint letter, welcomed the Spanish Presidency's intention to convene a high-level conference on the Western Balkans on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Zagreb Summit, while mentioning 2014 as the symbolic milestone for the path to the EU.

The text signed by the two ministers expresses the hope that 2010 will welcome specifically:

-The conclusion of negotiations with Croatia.

-A mutually acceptable solution to the issue of the name of FYROM, something that remains substantive, as well as the beginning of accession negotiations with FYROM.

-Progress by Serbia regarding its European expectations, including the defreezing of the ratification of the Association and Stabilisation Agreement.

-Specific progress for Kosovo.

-An enhanced role for the EU in Bosnia-Herzegovina with the ultimate aim of European integration and a sincere commitment on the part of all leaders to establish workable state institutions in the country.

-Increased efforts by Albania and Montenegro in cooperation with the Commission, in the frameweork of the evaluation of their application for accession to the EU.

-The fulfillment of the remaining targets in the road maps in the direction of the gradual abolition of the entry visa by Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Droutsas and Spindelegger emphasised that the European Integration of the countries of the Western Balkans constitutes a priority and a guarantee for stability and for this reason the EU must encourage these countries to align themselves with the European principles and values.

Caption: Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas (R) and Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger(L) in the Foreign Ministry in Athens on Thursday 20 January 2010. ANA-MPA/ALEXANDROS BELTES