In a few days, the leaders of the EU-27 will be meeting in Brussels to engage in negotiations on the EU budget and the Recovery Fund. Are you feeling optimistic?
“Our response to the impact of the pandemic must be swift, flexible, decisive and generous. There is no margin for dividing lines separating the North from the South, the Abstemious from the Ambitious. Those who object to the Commission’s proposal will have to come to terms with reality and realise that the Recovery Fund is a ‘superweapon’ available to the leaders of the EU, a new Marshall Plan. It would be beneficial for the EU to see an agreement signed at the upcoming European Council meeting on 17–18 July. A few days earlier, at the EU General Affairs Council, in which I will be participating, Greece will once again join the fray of negotiations. This meeting will indicate whether yet another Summit will be required before an agreement can be reached. As the Prime Minister said, the introduction of harsher requirements cannot be accepted, nor can we go below the level of the Commission's proposal. That is the absolute minimum”.
Following your contacts at the European level, what is your view of the European response to the coronavirus? Could the pandemic lead to a more “sovereign Europe” or would that be too much to ask?
“It is without question that the coronavirus crisis tested and continues to test the resilience of the world economy and social cohesion. The pandemic has indeed scored deep wounds on powerful countries such as the USA. The fatalities in the thousands, combined with violent social unrest due to phenomena of racism, have dealt a blow to their leadership role. In this international environment, the EU finds itself at a historical crossroad. The question that arises is whether it can bridge the gap emerging on the global ‘chessboard’. The “sovereign Europe” will come to pass only if Member States realise that the supranational “we” must prevail over the local “I”. This is the only way Europe will acquire a strong, single voice. It is our duty to the generations to come. The decisions we make today will be our legacy for the future. History will judge the bold and, conversely, will hold no place for those who cower in the face of major challenges. As everyone knows, great opportunities lie behind great challenges, and this is an opportunity that must not be wasted. Our Europe must not turn to the past, closing borders and exercising national policies. We must keep our windows to the world open — and Greece declares that it is present and willing to contribute towards achieving this goal”.
Tomorrow, on Monday, a broader debate will take place at the EU level concerning EU-Turkey relations. Do you believe that there is still room for these relations to be relaunched from a more positive perspective?
“EU-Turkey relations have undergone many trials in the last few years. Recently, through the economic sanctions imposed on Turkey with regard to the EEZ of Cyprus and through supporting Greece in Evros, Brussels sent a clear message to Turkey that if it does not respect rules and fulfil its obligations, it cannot hope to deepen its strategic relations with the EU in a meaningful way — particularly when a Member State is being threatened. It is now up to Turkey to decide which path it wishes to take and which principles to embrace. If it chooses coordinated dialogue and compliance with the European acquis, with deeds, it will find a supporter in Greece. If it continues on the path of provocations and moves away from Western values and Western culture, as is the case with the Hagia Sophia, becoming fully integrated into the European family will prove difficult. And the fault will lie squarely with Turkey, not with Greece.
Is there room for frank dialogue with Turkey? If so, which steps must be taken? Furthermore, which actions must Athens take in order to bolster its position in the Eastern Mediterranean?
“Greece is always open to meaningful dialogue — not dialogue for the sake of dialogue —and works to keep communication channels open to everyone. It’s impossible not to speak to your neighbour or to approach international relations from an isolationist point of view. In this context, there was communication between the Greek Prime Minister and the Turkish President, as well as between myself and my Turkish counterpart. This is how we would like to proceed moving forward, but it does not depend solely on Athens. In any event, Greece, as an energy, transit, tourism, economic and cultural hub, is expected to play a leading part in the coming decade in the Eastern Mediterranean through the alliances it has already forged. In fact, we believe that the trilateral and quadrilateral schemes in which it is an active participant will transform the Mediterranean into what it can truly become: a place of harmonious coexistence of peoples rather than deadlocked division. The time has come for the Mediterranean to unite us, not only geographically, but also economically, politically and meaningfully”.
In May, Greece took on the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe. How does our country intend to promote the protection of human rights? What will be the “flagship” of your initiatives? How concerned are you about actions by certain governments both within and beyond Europe to exploit the pandemic in order to curtail human rights or even the rule of law?
“During the pandemic, we placed the protection of human life above all else. Movement restrictions were imposed in Greece, in adherence to the instructions of scientists, but Democracy did not cease to function. Our Parliament did not shut down, as was the case in other countries. There were indeed cases of certain governments taking advantage of the pandemic in order to restrict human rights, the rule of law and democracy, by postponing elections, for instance. This is precisely why we place this issue, against this backdrop, at the heart of the Greek Chairmanship of the Council of Europe — and this was demonstrated in the most emblematic manner at the main event held at the Columns of Olympian Zeus last Wednesday, with the speech by the President of the Republic in the presence of the Prime Minister. The key objective is the adoption, at the end of the Chairmanship, of an ‘Athens Declaration’, a new text of Principles that will serve as a new charter for rights during periods of crisis, a beacon for the future! Protecting human rights is a continuous, day-in, day-out battle. It will not end with the pandemic or the drafting of the Athens Declaration. This is why I called upon everyone (politicians, judges, academics, citizens) two days ago to commit to this high-minded purpose”.
July 12, 2020