This year’s Europe Day anniversary, commemorating the day on which Robert Schuman issued his celebrated Declaration, is of particular symbolic importance to Greece, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union; a Presidency that has already shown a number of tangible results in many vital sectors.
Following the painful sacrifices made by its citizens, Greece is steadily emerging the years-long economic crisis , restoring its institutional equality, in the midst of a very difficult state of affairs. It can thus contribute to the Union’s effort to put forward a new European narrative; a new proposal for the Europe of growth and employment – for a Europe that give its citizens hope.
Even today, with the European Union facing off against a current of intense euroscepticism, Greece continues to believe in the European idea and in a Europe of principles and values.
The crises in Europe’s southern and eastern neighbourhoods accentuate the importance of peace, stability and prosperity on the European continent. Now more than ever, it is imperative that we shape a single, strong European voice on the world stage.
It is our duty today, as European citizens, to reflect on what unites us, to resist the Sirens of populism and nationalism, and to promote our common European values – moderation, democracy and dialogue – proving that the vision of Schuman and Monet remains vibrant.
May 9, 2014