Pahor: Greece must assume leading role in the Balkans

The Prespes accord is of historical importance not only for Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) but also for the broader region of the Western Balkans because it creates fresh momentum for the country's incorporation into the European Union and NATO, Slovenia's President Borut Pahor tells Kathimerini in an interview, while urging Greece to play a leading role in this part of Europe.

Pahor, who is in Athens on an official visit Tuesday and Wednesday, says EU nations must forge a common migration policy in order to effectively deal with the ongoing crisis and prevent it from evolving into a factor of division.

He also refers to Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Governor of independent Greece, whose family originated from Capodistria on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Venice. The city is now known as Koper and features a lifesize statue of the...