Peace and stability in the Western Balkans

KEY LEGISLATION & DOCUMENTS

GREECE: A PROBLEM SOLVER IN THE REGION
From the ratification of the Prespes agreement, which solved one of the longest-standing disputes in the Balkans, to working to resolve a long-standing maritime question with Albania, to helping its Balkan neighbors break their dependence on Russia, Greece has taken a leadership role in tackling some of the toughest problems in the Western Balkans. 

RESOLVING DISPUTES IN THE WESTERN BALKANS

In June of 2018, Athens and Skopje signed the Prespa Agreement to resolve the long-standing dispute over the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s name. Under the agreement, FYROM changed its constitutional name to “Republic of North Macedonia” and renounced any claim on Greek history and culture, any territorial claim on Greek territory, and any other irredentist behavior. After the Prespa Agreement was signed, Greece supported North Macedonia’s accession to NATO and the European Union. Since ratifying the Prespa Agreement, a number of important measures have been taken in Skopje. It’s important that North Macedonia continues to work with Greece to implement the clauses of the agreement.


Having resolved one long-standing dispute in the region, Greece is also working to bring another dispute with Albania over maritime boundaries to the International Court of Justice. This move by Greece and Albania serves as a clear reminder in a turbulent region that international law remains the basis for solving problems.


Engaging the Western Balkans with NATO and the EU

Ratification of the Prespa Agreement paved the way for North Macedonia to join NATO in March 2020, extending the transatlantic alliance’s presence deeper into the Western Balkans. It also encouraged the EU to initiate the accession process for both North Macedonia and Albania to join the bloc.

Talks for North Macedonia and Albania to join the EU, however, have encountered roadblocks in need of resolution before any real progress can be accomplished. In July 2022, both Northern Macedonia and Bulgaria adopted an agreement meant to remedy identity conflicts between the two nations. While this is a positive step towards North Macedonia’s accession to the EU, stringent conditions set forth by the agreement may pose issues down the line and do not guarantee Bulgaria’s approval of North Macedonia’s admission in the future. Continued discussions with Tirana, Sofia, and Skopje are essential to prevent backsliding on the Prespa Agreement and on democratic reforms. Remediating conflict within the Balkans is essential in creating a united front strong enough to limit the influence of rival powers such as Russia, China, Turkey, and the Gulf states in the EU's and Greece’s neighborhood.

BREAKING THE BALKANS' DEPENDENCE ON RUSSIAN ENERGY

As Greece becomes a vital energy hub, it is also well positioned to help break the Balkan dependence on Russia’s Gazprom. One of the most notable projects to come online this year is the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), a new 182 kilometer pipeline connecting the Greek and Bulgarian national gas networks that carries gas from the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline and Greece to Bulgaria. The pipeline has been described as “a game changer for Bulgaria and for Europe's energy security,” providing Bulgaria with natural gas after Russia, which provided 90 percent of Bulgarian gas until April 27, cut off deliveries over Sofia's refusal to pay in roubles. Since then Bulgaria has depended entirely on Greece to meet its gas needs.


Aside from the TAP and IGB pipelines, a second liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, the Alexandroupoli Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) is set to come online. Greece and North Macedonia also signed an agreement in 2021 for the operation of a pipeline from Thessaloniki to North Macedonia, laying the foundations for a second natural gas gateway into the Balkans after the IGB.


The Greek minority in Albania

Roughly 200,000 ethnic Greeks live in Albania. Greeks living in Albania face a number of challenges including Greek language education, political representation, property rights, and religious freedom. In recent news, Himara mayor elect Fredi Beleri, an ethnic Greek, has been imprisoned since May for allegedly buying votes. Albanian law allows him to take the oath of office while he awaits trial, but courts have repeatedly denied his request to do so. Albania’s repudiation to rule of law in the Beleri case has received global attention, meaning it may represent a tipping point for Albania’s Greek minority.


Albania is currently a candidate for accession to the EU. If Tirana hopes to achieve EU membership, it needs to meet its international obligations and reform its institutions to fully respect and uphold minority rights for the Greek minority and for all groups. Respect for minority rights throughout Albania is consistently among the criteria set by the European Commission in its annual progress reports on Albania’s EU accession course. Greece has stated that it will veto an Albanian accession vote if Albanian does not comply with EU rule of law and minority rights standards.

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