Greek FM Droutsas, about Ballkans and Albania

The alternate minister also called on the Albanian government to respect the rights of the Greek ethnic minority in Albania and spoke of a "lack of progress in Bosnia-Herzegovina".

During his speach in the Grek Parliament, emphasised the importance of the government "2014 Agenda" for the accession of the western Balkan countries to the EU, saying that this initiative was once again giving Greece a leading role in the region.

He said this policy sought to enhance Greece's presence in Eastern Europe by actively promoting the Western Balkans with the aim of incorporating them into Europe, deepening economic growth, as well as preserving and reinforcing Greece's role in the region.

The minister also stressed a fourth goal that sought to make the Southeastern Europe Cooperation Process a more useful body for security and peace in the region, with a collective framework of principles that would allow Balkan countries to take their fate into their own hands.

While admitting that serious problems remained to be dealt with, such as organised crime, illegal migration, drug trafficking and environmental protection, he also pointed to the EU accession of Bulgaria and Romania and the new opportunities for growth thus created.

"Even at this difficult economic juncture with road blocks on the highways, we are reminded of the inter-dependence of our economies," he noted.

The alternate minister also called on the Albanian government to respect the rights of the Greek ethnic minority in Albania and spoke of a "lack of progress in Bosnia-Herzegovina".

He repeated Greece's active, tangible support for Serbia's bid to join the EU and criticised the Community's "absence" on the issue of Kosovo, stressing that for Greece there was no question of recognising Kosovo.