About: Nikos Kotzias
Former Greek FM: Without Western renewal, we’re heading for Chinese hegemony
The West has underestimated China’s rise, and the centre of gravity has switched from the Atlantic to the Pacific, where Europe has no role, Greece’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Kotzias, one of Europe's most experienced China analysts, warned in an exclusive interview.
EU socialists chief: North Macedonia name change deal should be ‘preserved’
When it fails to deliver its promises, the EU loses its credibility and shows little sense of historical responsibility towards the Balkans, Iratxe García, the chief of Social Democrats in the European Parliament, has said.
Greek minister optimistic Macedonia name deal will be approved
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Thursday (20 September) hailed an agreement with Macedonia on changing its name and opening the way for it to join NATO and the European Union.
Balkans should build on momentum, focus on reforms – EU ambassador
The attitude that the EU owes something to the candidate countries in the Western Balkans is wrong, as well as the belief that concerns over the growing Russian influence in the region will be enough to bring someone "closer to the EU”, according to the EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Aivo Orav.
EU puts ‘North Macedonia’ and Albania on hold until the European elections
The European Union agreed a compromise on Tuesday (26 June) whereby it would open negotiations to join the bloc with Albania and Macedonia in June next year, provided a string of conditions on rule of law, crime and corruption are met.
Chilly Western reactions to Erdogan’s win
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday (26 June) celebrated winning sweeping new powers in a decisive election victory, as his main rival accepted the outcome despite complaints over an unequal campaign that alarmed the EU.
Greek FM: Europe must keep its word to North Macedonia and Albania
EXCLUSIVE / EU capitals should keep their word and open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania at the 28-29 June summit, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias told EURACTIV.com in a wide-ranging interview.
Athens calls on Hahn to stop ‘undermining’ Macedonian name dispute talks
European Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn said on Tuesday (24 April) that Greece’s name dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) could be resolved in the next 15 days.
Macedonian government survives no-confidence vote
The Macedonian government on Wednesday (11 April) survived a parliamentary vote of no-confidence brought by the opposition VMRO-DPMNE party over its handling of relations with Greece and Bulgaria.
Hundreds of thousands rally in Athens over Macedonia name row
Hundreds of thousands of Greeks rallied outside parliament in Athens on Sunday (4 February) to protest against the use of the term Macedonia in any settlement the government pursues with the ex-Yugoslav Republic to end a decades-old name row.
Greek FM denies ‘pressure’ on Athens to resolve name dispute with Skopje
Athens does not feel any external pressure to find a solution to the name dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias said on Monday (22 January).
Greece, Macedonia hope for UN proposal this month in chronic name dispute
Greece said yesterday (11 January) it and Macedonia hoped for progress in talks with a UN mediator on 17 January towards settling a long-running dispute over the latter country’s name that has held up Skopje’s EU membership prospects. Greek Foreign...
Commission expects ‘concrete’ results on Macedonian name dispute
The European Commission welcomed the action taken by the government in Skopje to end a 25-year stalemate on a name dispute with Greece and now hopes to see “concrete results”, a spokesperson told EURACTIV.com on Thursday (4 January).
EU tells Ankara to stay calm, respect UN framework for Cyprus
The European Commission backs a Cyprus settlement process under the auspices of the United Nations and calls on Turkey to refrain from creating any source of friction that could damage neighbourly relations, an EU spokesperson told EURACTIV.com.
Macedonia says ‘big step’ made in name row with Greece
Macedonia hailed a "big step" towards resolving a quarter-century-old dispute with neighbour Greece on Tuesday (5 September) over its name that has seen it blocked from NATO and European Union membership talks.
Greek FM visits Skopje to build trust for ‘substantial’ talks on name dispute
Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias will meet on Thursday (31 August) with politicians in Skopje in order to build up further trust between the two countries. But it’s still “early” for a discussion about the name dispute, diplomatic sources told EURACTIV.com.
Greek FM fumes at ‘slander’ regarding rule of law
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted strongly to press reports suggesting that the country’s rule of law is in danger due to particular court decisions.
Berlin wants more EU pressure on Turkey, asks to freeze customs union talks
Berlin is pushing the European Commission to halt talks with Turkey over updating the customs union, claiming that a continuation would send the “wrong signal” to Ankara.
Commission seeks a ‘European solution’ to the Cyprus issue
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said yesterday (27 July) that the EU executive wants a “European solution” to the Cyprus issue.
Greek FM: EU should be louder against Turkish ‘intervention rights’ in member states
EXCLUSIVE / In a wide-ranging interview, Greece's foreign minister on Sunday (16 July) outlined his country's position on the failed Cyprus reunification talks, scolding UN envoy Espen Barth Eide and rejecting "interventions rights" for Turkey in any future settlement. He also warned against expecting any breakthrough with FYROM.
EPP leader floats Schengen suspensions
Member states that do not tackle immigration should be temporarily suspended from the Schengen area, the President of the European People's Party (EPP), Joseph Daul, told EURACTIV.
Greek parliament to recognise Palestine amid opposition concerns
The Syriza-led Greek parliament will vote on 22 December to recognise the Palestinian state, triggering nervous reactions among centre-right opposition parties. EURACTIV Greece reports.
Tsipras: Unlike Hungary, Athens will help resolve the refugee crisis
Greece will help the EU tackle the refugee crisis, despite certain member states’ unwillingness to contribute, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Thursday (29 October). EURACTIV Greece reports.