"For us, Europe is not just an economic project, it is not just a geographical area, but an area of established peace, freedom and security. It is a model of modern democracy and at the same time a geopolitical power. "What we need in order to address current challenges is more Europe and a stronger Europe", emphasized Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, participating today as a keynote speaker in an online discussion on "Greece's 40 Years in the EU & Beyond", co-organized by the "Constantine G. Karamanlis" Chair in Hellenic and European Studies at Fletcher School (Tufts University) and the Institute for East Mediterranean Studies at Emmanuel College in Boston.
In particular, Mr. Varvitsiotis noted that Greece's accession to the United Europe "was the result of the perseverance, insight and personal vision of a genuine European, Konstantinos Karamanlis", whose vision was "to fulfill the liberal and democratic principles which the nation had already declared with the Revolution of 1821". Today, as he said, Greece has a truly reformist and pro-European government, noting that "Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is following in the footsteps of Konstantinos Karamanlis. He is fully aware of the current challenges of an ever-evolving world and has presented a specific plan for the transformation of both the Greek economy and the Greek state, the "Greece 2.0" plan".
Referring to the 40th anniversary of the country's accession to the European family, the Alternate Minister pointed out that Greece, through "a multifaceted relationship" with the EU, strengthened its institutions and modernized its economy and the structures of the welfare state. Having received over 180 billion euros from the cohesion funds and the Common Agricultural Policy, the country has upgraded its infrastructure and built a modern stable rule of law. It became a "pillar of security and stability in the wider region."
Regarding the role Greece has played, Mr. Varvitsiotis reminded that it has contributed to the adoption of important European decisions, such as recently with the Recovery and Resilience Facility, launched at the initiative of the Greek Prime Minister, as well as with the COVID-19 Digital Certificate. But also, historically speaking, the enlargement process and the cohesion funds have their roots in Greek initiatives. "Greece's course in the EU was not and is not linear, but there have been difficult moments as well. Nevertheless, the Greeks have repeatedly decided to remain committed to Greece's participation in the core of Europe at great cost. "Greece has paid a very heavy price in order to participate in the core of the EU, and for this reason we can say that we are real Europeans", the Alternate Minister underscored.
Concluding, the Alternate Minister highlighted the particularly important role the Conference on the Future of Europe plays, stressing the importance of involving young people in this pan-European process.
Professor of Political Science of Emmanuel College Mr. Petros Vamvakas was the Alternate Minister’s interlocutor. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Constantine Arvanitopoulos, Constantine Karamanlis Chair at the Fletcher School. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Stratos Efthymiou, Consul General of Greece in Boston.
November 9, 2021