Read the text of the Declaration of Support for Ukraine signed in Athens by Borjana Krišto

(Patria) - A joint Declaration was adopted at an informal meeting of EU leaders with representatives of the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova. The Nova.rs portal published the complete text of the signed document.

"We, the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, the President of Moldova Maia Sandu, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prime Minister of Romania Ion-Marcel Ciolacu, the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti, the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Borjana Krišto, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovačevski, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Nikolay Denkov, and the Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković, in the presence of the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, met today in Athens, twenty years after the historic EU – Western Balkans Summit in Thessaloniki, and issued the following statement:

1. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a pivotal moment for Europe, creating a new level of awareness of shared principles, unity, and a common future within the European Union.

This is a critical time for the security, peace, and stability of our European continent. The laws and principles that have contributed to a stable and predictable European security order for so long have been violated, and we are once again witnessing the devastating effects of revisionism.

2. Faced with Russian aggression, we express our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, based on the values of democracy and the rule of law.

3. In our discussions today in Athens, we expressed our support for and appreciation of the sincere efforts of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in setting out principles for peace in accordance with the UN Charter, in his peace formula.

We also welcomed the efforts of the United Nations General Assembly to promote a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine.

4. We agreed that there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities, such as attacks on civilians and the destruction of infrastructure, and that all those responsible must be held accountable.

5. Twenty years ago, the Thessaloniki Summit recognized that the Western Balkans belong to the European Union. We firmly believe that this statement is more relevant today than ever before.

The escalating war of aggression against Ukraine has revealed the urgent need for a strong, resilient, and inclusive European Union as a cornerstone of peace and prosperity among our peoples in these challenging times.

6. We emphasized that the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova, geographically neighboring EU Member States, share a common European heritage, history, and future defined by shared opportunities and challenges.

As a strategic investment in peace, security, and stability in Europe, it is important that these regions are embraced as full members of the European family.

7. Today in Athens, we discussed the future path to make this vision of Europe a reality.

We underlined the importance of realizing a European Union enriched by the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova.

We stressed the need for renewed energy and a focused enlargement process that is tangible and credible, without shortcuts to meeting the established conditions.

We expressed our commitment to supporting Ukraine and Moldova in taking the next steps in the accession process to the European Union as soon as they complete the necessary reforms.

8. We firmly believe that 20 years after the Thessaloniki Summit and in light of the new geopolitical reality, the time has come to adopt a bold and ambitious ultimate goal that will serve as a guide, inspiration, and context."