Tsipras: We want Balkans without nationalism and irredentism

Greece wants to remain a factor of stability and security in the Balkan region and to put an end to nationalism and nationalist policies on the Balkans. This, from the floor of the Institute of International Relations in Moscow, was recommended by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, during his official visit to Russia.
– We support active Balkan policy, away from nationalism and irredentist plans that lead to the disintegration of the region. Greece is for real solutions for the future of the Balkans – Tsipras said in his speech in Moscow, a day after his meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
Greek Prime Minister stressed that Greece supports the European perspective and the attempt of Western Balkan countries to integrate into the European family. According to him, progress towards the EU will help the Balkan countries to develop and improve bilateral relations in the region.
Tsipras returns satisfied from Russia, with messages for possibility to improve Greek-Russian cooperation. However, the assessments in Greece are that the Greek government should not prematurely celebrate for some Russian aid or for lifting the embargo on the export of agricultural products, but to be with restrained expectations from this meeting, which should be repeated in June. Tsipras received positive comments about the fact that he didn’t offer “too long a friendly hand” to Russia, but performed moderately without causing negative comments and reactions from the European side.
Although Greek Prime returns with messages of Russian interest in the privatization of Greek ports and railways and a proposition for a new Russian gas pipeline, the Greek government is clear that it will not be able to give green light to any one of these steps without positive approval from EU and positive geopolitical development of the Ukrainian crisis.