The situation in Ukraine and Syria is expected to be two of the main topics at the Western Balkans summit with the prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, expected to both stress that support to Kyiv must continue and advocate support for the territorial integrity of Syria in an inclusive future that safeguards all religious minorities and ethnic groups in the country.

Specifically on Syria, Greece’s position is to support the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of the country and an inclusive future that will safeguard all religious minorities and ethnic groups. Mitsotakis is also expected to stress that the European Union cannot be absent from developments in the Middle East and the next day in Syria, as there are security risks and increased refugee flows.

On Ukraine, the Greek prime minister will reiterate the need for continued support to Ukraine so that – whenever peace talks take place – it is not in a position of weakness.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis is also expected to brief European leaders on his visit to Lebanon -he was the first European leader to visit the country since the November 27 ceasefire with Israel- and stress that the EU must support the country’s state institutions and the effective implementation of the ceasefire.