"The demographic issue is clearly a matter of national survival for the continuation of the Greek nation, but also for our economic development”, pointed out Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis addressing the 11th International Conference themed "The Demographic Challenge, the Role of Multi-Child/Large Families and the Future of Europe", which is being organized in the framework of the Conference for the Future of Europe by the Supreme Confederation of Multi-child Parents of Greece (ASPE) in collaboration with the Social Administration Research Lab, University of Western Attica (PA.D.A.).
In particular, Mr. Varvitsiotis pointed out that Europe is an ageing continent and that its birth rate falls in proportion to the rate of economic hardship. For this reason, he added, it is necessary to develop our economies, so that every family that aspires to have children feels that it has the opportunity to raise them in the conditions it would wish for. In this context, the Alternate Minister explained that the best solution is not migration, but a comprehensive family support policy and highlighted the emphasis placed by the Mitsotakis government on creating opportunities and incentives for young people, investing in the Young Generation through several and various programs. "Since Kyriakos Mitsotakis himself is coming from a large family, like I am, we can understand much more the anxiety and the challenges faced by a multi-child/ large family, but also the blessing that this entails", Mr. Varvitsiotis underlined.
“For this reason”, the Alternate Minister continued, "we believe that the voice of the multi-child parents should be heard at the Conference on the Future of Europe and we have decided to make it part of the process of the Dialogue". Mr. Varvitsiotis added that some Greek proposals have already begun to gain a large and ever-expanding audience, such as the one he submitted in the context of the European social dialogue at the Porto Summit, regarding the minimum adequate standard of living in the EU. Mr. Varvitsiotis also referred to the emphasis placed by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (a mother of many children herself) on this issue by assigning a specific portfolio on tackling the demographic problem of Europe to the competent Commissioner Ms. Šuica.
Finally, Mr. Varvitsiotis congratulated the Supreme Confederation of Multi-child Parents of Greece for its important social contribution over the last 90 years, serving with faith and altruism its mission to highlight the issues of multi-child/large families.
October 18, 2021