Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis’ meetings with Vice presidents of European Commission and European Commissioners (Brussels, 22.09.2021)

Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis had today in Brussels a series of meetings with the Vice-Presidents of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas and Maros Sefcovic and the European Commissioners Oliver Vàrhelyi and Virginijus Sinkevicius, continuing his contacts so as to strengthen the voice of Greece within the EU and promote the Greek positions.

More specifically, Mr. Varvitsiotis first met with the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Mr. Oliver Vàrhelyi, to whom he stressed that Greece remains a firm advocate of the EU Enlargement in the Western Balkans. He emphasized the need for the European Union to be credible and consistent with the commitments it has undertaken and added that our country is ready to play a constructive role in the accession processes. For this reason, the Alternate Minister briefed him on the results of a special event organized, at his initiative, in Thessaloniki last Wednesday, where our country invited the Western Balkans to join the Dialogue on the Future of Europe. Mr. Vàrhelyi expressed his satisfaction at this initiative, welcoming Greece’s active role in promoting the European Idea in the Balkans.

Afterwards, the Alternate Minister met with the Vice-President of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, Mr. Maros Sefcovic. The primary topic of discussion was the Dialogue on the Future of Europe, which has been coordinated in Greece by the Alternate Minister. In this context, Mr. Varvitsiotis informed the Vice-President that he has asked all social, professional and local bodies to participate in the Dialogue with ideas, proposals and events, as well as to activate the citizens to do the same. “It is time for Europeans to speak out where they want Europe to go. And it is time for Europe to listen to them if it wants to move forward,” he characteristically pointed out.

Mr. Varvitsiotis then, had an extensive meeting with the Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Mr. Virginijus Sinkevicius. Tackling current environmental risks and protecting the Mediterranean ecosystem were at the heart of the discussion, especially in light of what EuMed agreed on in Athens last week. Special reference was made to the issue of illegal fishing by Turkish fishing boats in our territorial waters. Mr. Varvitsiotis condemned Turkey’s specific attitude, describing it as illegal and contrary to EU and International Law and called for the EU’S immediate response on this issue, as Turkey infringes not only the Greek but also the European interests.

Finally, the Alternate Minister met with the Vice President of the European Commission for Promoting the European Way of Life, Mr. Margaritis Schinas and they discussed the migration issue, following the latest developments in Afghanistan. Mr. Varvitsiotis stated to the Greek Commissioner that Greece will not become a country of mass entry of refugees and immigrants, as was the case in 2015, and that the European Union needs a solid, common migration policy.