Eleven Balkan leaders, joined by EU officials, issue Athens Declaration

Eleven leaders of Balkan countries including Greece meeting in Athens expressed their "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" in the face of Russian aggression, on Monday night.

After an informal dinner held by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the 11 leaders issued the Athens Declaration statement in which also agreed "there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities" and said all those responsible must be held accountable.

In the presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, they underlined "the importance of setting (…) a target for the completion of the vision of an EU enriched with the Western Balkans, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova."