BELGRADE – Greece and Serbia are two countries linked by history, culture and religion, as well as by a common European future, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in Belgrade on Wednesday.

During his meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Mitsotakis said Greece looked forward to seeing all western Balkan nations incorporated in Europe, including Serbia, which is on an accession path now.

The Greek premier said that regional collaboration leads to development, and the EU promotes this collaboration. The prospects of the two countries collaborating “are very promising,” particularly in energy connectivity, which would lead to the highest level of energy security in SE Europe. Greece hopes to become a trustworthy energy hub, and supports the Bulgaria-Serbia natural gas pipeline, and its linking to TAP, he added. “We have opportunities to improve our economic relations,” he noted, and expressed appreciation that Greece ranks at the top of destinations for Serbian tourists.

Greece holds a consistent position about Kosovo, and wants to see the full normalization of relations, supporting the dialog of Belgrade-Pristina and the efforts of the EU’s special envoy, Mitsotakis said.

President Vucic thanked Mitsotakis for the excellent cooperation and spoke of a continuing rise in trade exchanges, which he said looked likely to reach 1 billion euros. He also thanked the Greek premier for his support in Serbia’s quest for membership in the EU, and said he requested of the premier that he continues to support Serbia’s territorial integrity.

“Greece understands Serbia’s position,” Vucic said, adding that his country wanted a compromise solution, not conflict. He also noted the opportunities to further boost trade with Greece, and welcomed Greek tourists to Serbia, while he also said he hoped that more Greek businesses would come to Serbia.