ATHENS — "Greece has been firmly oriented, since the Thessaloniki Summit in 2003, toward supporting the European course of the Western Balkans," President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, said on Thursday during her meeting with the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Zdravko Krivokapic, in Athens.

Krivokapic is visiting Athens in order to participate in the 6th Delphi Economic Forum.

Sakellaropoulou stressed that it is the only option able to ensure political stability, economic development and strong democratic institutions in the countries of the region. However, she noted that, in order to join the EU, it is necessary to meet the criteria that apply to all candidate countries.

On his part, Krivokapic thanked the Greek President for Greece's support of Montenegro's European course and reiterated his government's readiness to work to expand bilateral relations.

During the meeting, they also exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual interest, such as the pandemic and efforts to revive economies in the post-pandemic era, as well as the potential for strengthening bilateral relations.