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Plassnik: "The Balkans region must not be left on the political sidelines"

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on visit to Vienna

Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik had a meeting with her Greek counterpart, Dora Bakoyannis, in Vienna on Saturday, 4 March. The talks centred on the priorities of the EU Presidency, in particular the Western Balkans and the debate on the future of Europe.

"I am pleased to receive Dora Bakoyannis, whose work as a member of parliament, mayor, and now also as Foreign Minister I hold in high regard. I know that, in her, I have an important ally among the Foreign Ministers", Plassnik said.

In the context of the forthcoming informal meeting of foreign ministers in Salzburg, Plassnik and Bakoyannis stressed the importance of the Union’s policy on the Western Balkans. "It is no coincidence that the EU perspective for the Balkan countries was first formulated in Thessaloniki. An area of good neighbourly relations has developed from Thessaloniki to Salzburg”, Plassnik commented.

Plassnik made reference to the numerous activities launched by the Austrian Presidency together with the countries of the Western Balkans, for instance in the field of security policy, education policy and strengthening the rule of law. “We must raise awareness of the need to avoid a zone of insecurity and instability between Austria, Italy and Greece. Our Western Balkans policy is a part of our security policy. One of the tasks we have set for the meeting of foreign ministers next week in Salzburg is to bring this to the attention of the European public. The Balkans region must not be left on the political sidelines”, Plassnik continued.

With regard to the debate on the future of Europe and the constitutional treaty, the two Foreign Ministers stressed that Austria and Greece are allies in this first major project of the enlarged Union. According to Plassnik, what was now needed was to actively regain the confidence of the citizens through practical work. “It goes without saying that this will require patience. A mix of better communication and better policies is needed. Europe must become more visible again. We must not hold back, but rather we must engage directly with the sceptics and listen to them", Plassnik said. Our objective is to develop a blueprint by the end of the Presidency, together with all the partners, for the next steps in the debate on the future".