Article by Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis in the newspaper “TA NEA” on the occasion of Europe Day (9.5.2023)

“What kind of Europe do we want?”

The 9th of May is a Day of Celebration for Europe but also an occasion for reflection.

What we have achieved, where we are today, and how we should prepare for the future.

Nothing has been easy or taken for granted over the past four years.

Today, shortly before the end of my term at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the Minister responsible for European Affairs, I am certain of one thing.

During these four years, in an environment of multiple and constant crises, Greece has succeeded in becoming a co-shaper of European developments. And this is a significant political and national legacy.

Greece shook off its role as a beggar to become part of the solutions.

It was at the forefront of European policymaking.

Greece can be proud of having put its stamp on a number of flagship initiatives, including the Recovery Fund, with a €72 billion benefit for our country, the coordinated policies for the management of the pandemic with the uniform supply and distribution of vaccines, the Digital Vaccination Certificate, opening up tourism and travel safely. We pushed for a cap on the price of gas from the very first moment. Despite the initial delay, prices decreased.

We managed to turn Greek-Turkish relations into an EU-Turkish issue, while Europe stood by us throughout the crisis in Evros. We have succeeded in making border security a European priority today.

Greece’s future is inextricably linked to the future of Europe.

The next day requires vigilance, coordination and determination, as a number of fronts remain open.

Security is being tested by the war in Ukraine and by revisionism of all kinds, while the demand for strategic autonomy is more pressing than ever.

The economy will once again be in the spotlight through the negotiation of the new Stability and Growth Pact, which is not an easy process, given the strong inflationary tendencies.

The EU enlargement is another challenge for Europe in the coming days. Greece has consistently and especially in the last four years, actively supported the Western Balkans’ membership aspirations. A larger Europe in the future will bring us face to face with a new reality, dominated by the issue of effective governance.

The migration-refugee issue will continue to put the resilience of European societies to the test.

Energy autonomy is already high on the European agenda.

Employment, climate change, and new technologies are current challenges that call for answers, especially from the young.

Recent crises have demonstrated that no one can do it alone.

Collective decisions are required with respect to European principles and values.

The “recipe” for success lies neither in inexpensive political cries nor in extreme populism.

We are with a Europe that leaves no one behind.

We are with the Europe of cooperation, security, and social cohesion.

We are proud as Greeks, we are proud as Europeans.

Happy Birthday, Europe!