The Greek Chairmanship of the Council of Europe continued its round of online discussions entitled “In discussion with…” with the French philosopher, writer, director and activist Bernard-Henri Lévy. The discussion, which focused on the response the pandemic and protection of human rights, as well as international issues, started with introductory remarks by the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, and was moderated by the Journalist and Politics Editor in Chief of the Athens daily “TO VIMA,” Angelos Athanasopoulos.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Varvitsiotis underscored the value of the French philosopher’s interventions regarding the pandemic itself and the global community’s reaction to the pandemic. He also noted that, through the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe, we want to show that, first, this pandemic should not be an excuse for closing our door to the world and, second, that we shouldn’t lower our human rights standards in order to safeguard an illusion that we are never going to die. “We want to keep our societies and our economies open,” he emphasised, adding that “it is important for us to send the message that Europe is discussing and trying to promote a new vision for the world. That the world can fight and deal with the pandemic, with respect for human rights, the rule of law, and democracy.”
Bernard-Henri Lévy praised Greece for its handling of the coronavirus – the way it took measures to limit the spread of the virus, and the way it reopened. He also mentioned the habits we have abandoned during the pandemic, and in particular the handshake. “The handshake is a gesture of civilization and brotherhood. It means something in the relationship between two people,” he said, commenting on how hesitant people were to start wearing masks. “If we had to live in a world where people wore masks, for hygienic reasons, it would be a U-turn in our conception of Ethics. Because ‘Ethics’ means the relationship between two naked faces. My wish is that these new habits do not remain too long in our culture.” He also emphasised his love for the Greek spirit: “Greek civilization is in my fibres, in my body and in my soul,” he said.
He then discussed the impact of the coronavirus on the global community; the crisis of democracy; the power vacuum on the global chessboard, which is being created by the U.S. stance, and the need for the EU to become a global force; Turkey’s role in Libya; and the situation in Moria. More specifically, he said that the EU member states have an obligation to share the burden of the migrants in Moria.
These online discussions are part of the Greek Chairmanship's alternative digital actions, providing an institutional platform for dialogue – open to the public – with distinguished guests from Greece and abroad.
June 23, 2020