“The main conclusion of the Conference on the Future of Europe is the demand for more and better Europe, a Europe with a geostrategic footprint, strategic autonomy, deeper cooperation in foreign policy, for a Europe that protects its borders”. This was stressed by Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, speaking today at the session of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on European Affairs on ‘The results of the Conference on the Future of Europe - the next steps.’
In particular, Mr. Varvitsiotis spoke about an innovative process, through which European citizens have demonstrated their desire for a Europe that is a leader in climate change, as well as a more digital Europe, a Europe guided by principles and values that will oppose authoritarianism, revisionism and violations of the Rule of Law, as well as a Europe that will be more flexible in dealing with all crises, more integrated and more effective in protecting rights, more efficient and more competitive, always promoting peace, respect for human rights and cooperation.
As regards the issue of the revision of the Treaties, the Alternate Minister said that we need to demonstrate realism and at the same time historical responsibility, which requires us to put our national interests first in the context of shaping a common European future. He stressed that now is not the time to for Europe to be divided, but it is the time for the greatest possible unity in the face of challenges. He also noted that by tackling the pandemic, establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility and taking actions in the field of common defence, Europe has managed to break many taboos without having to revise the Treaties and can now address the energy, food, geopolitical, and possibly even migration crises that we are facing, without becoming engulfed in divisive dilemmas.
May 25, 2022