The Balkan and Southeastern European leaders issued their message after an informal dinner hosted by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens on Monday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The Athens Declaration was signed by Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucić, Moldova's Maia Sandu, Montenegro's Jakov Milatović, Romania's Marcel Ciolacu, and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, alongside Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, North Macedonia's Dimitar Kovacevski, Croatia's Andrej Plenković, Kosovo's Albin Kurti, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Borjana Kristo, and Bulgaria's Nikolai Denkov, according to news outlets.
The leaders stated: “In the face of 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 rule of law.”
They also expressed “support and appreciation for the earnest efforts by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in setting out the principles for peace in line with the UN Charter, in his Peace Formula.”
The 11 leaders declared that “there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities, such as attacks against civilians and the destruction of infrastructure and all those responsible must be held accountable.”
They were joined in Athens by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council head Charles Michel, the PAP news agency reported.
Zelensky asks EU to restore Ukrainian food exports, transit
Ukraine’s Zelensky on Tuesday held bilateral talks with the EU’s von der Leyen in Athens, calling on the bloc to "fully restore" his country's agri-food exports from September 15.
He thanked von der Leyen "for her efforts to normalize Ukraine’s agricultural exports and transit."
Zelensky added: “We expect a positive assessment of Ukraine’s progress in the October Enlargement Package and a consequent decision by EU member states to open Ukraine’s EU accession talks until the end of 2023.”
Ukraine’s president said he and von der Leyen also “coordinated positions on the Peace Formula as we advance to the Global Peace Summit.”
Ukrainian president, Bulgarian PM discuss Black Sea ‘grain corridor’
On Monday, Zelensky also met with the Bulgarian prime minister to discuss their countries’ cooperation on the Black Sea to create a “grain corridor” following Russia’s withdrawal last month from the United Nations-backed Black Sea Grain Initiative, US broadcaster CNN reported.
After quitting the grain deal, Russia warned that ships leaving the three Ukrainian Black Sea ports from which most grain is exported “may come under attack,” which has had a chilling effect on merchant shipping using the three harbours, according to CNN.
Earlier this month, Ukraine created its own maritime corridor for shipping, but is unable to guarantee its safety because of Russian naval superiority in the Black Sea, CNN reported.
Zelensky described his talks with Denkov as “fruitful” and also thanked the Bulgarian prime minister for his country’s “military and political support” for Ukraine.
Zelensky holds ‘good’ talks with Serbian president
Also during the Ukraine-Balkans summit in Athens, Zelensky on Tuesday held talks with Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić that he described as “good” and "open."
Serbia has repeatedly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including at the United Nations, and does not recognise Russia's annexation of parts of Ukraine which it occupies, the Reuters news agency reported.
At the same time, Serbia has not imposed sanctions on Russia and maintains trade and military cooperation with its traditional Slavic and Orthodox Christian ally, while seeking to join the EU, according to Reuters.
Zelensky and Vučić expressed support for each other's countries' bids to join the EU, news outlets reported.
After the meeting with Vučić, Zelensky wrote on social media: “An open, honest, and fruitful meeting with the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić. Good conversation on respect for the UN Charter and the inviolability of borders. On our nations’ shared future in the common European home. On developing our relations, that is in our mutual interest.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Tuesday is day 545 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, Ukrinform, CNN, Reuters, ekathimerini.com