Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou presented to the Greek parliament the draft bill on the ratification of the SAA between Serbia and the EU, pointing out that it represents an important step on Serbia's pathway towards obtaining the EU membership and achieving peace and stability in the region.

Xenogiannakopoulou stated before the Standing Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs that she believes SAA will achieve progress in the direction that Greece has always been in favor of, and which refers to peace and stability in the Balkans that will strengthen through the European perspective of the regional countries, the Greek media reported.

Xenogiannakopoulou stressed that Greece has always supported Serbia's EU pathway.

She underscored that the country's isolation should be ended as the Serbian government and citizens are making huge efforts in that direction, adding that the European pathway for the Western Balkan countries is above all their right and choice.

She stressed that the basis for the stabilization and association process of the Western Balkans was set in Thessaloniki in 2003, during Greece's holding of EU Presidency, when Athens launched an initiative entitled Agenda 2014 which envisages the EU accession of the regional countries by 2014.

Xenogiannakopoulou also called parliament to vote in favor of 'Serbia's ticket to the EU.'