Inaugural speech by President of the Republic Constantine Tasoulas at the 11th Delphi Economic Forum, which this year has the theme “The Shock of the New”.

“The Europe needs America as much as America needs Europe. Any disconnection of these two poles of the Western world, under the weight of transactional approaches and nationalist and populist currents, would have serious consequences for the security and prosperity of all of us, both in Europe and in America,” the President of the Republic first underlined.

Referring to Europe, he argued that “the challenge is twofold: on the one hand, to ensure its strategic autonomy by enhancing its economic competitiveness, as well as its defence capabilities and strength, energy interconnectivity and an innovative technological sector, and on the other hand, to remain consistent with its allied commitments, but also faithful to the fundamental values that constitute its identity, such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law”.

At the same time, he noted that “our world is going through a period of rapid and profound transformation. Developments and crises in geopolitics, economy, energy, technology, climate are no longer evolving linearly, but are dynamically interacting, accelerating and often overturning entrenched perceptions and certainties“.

He added that “in this ever-changing environment, critical questions are being asked: Are we at the end of the international order and the international security architecture as it was built after World War II and shaped after the Cold War?

And if so, what will be the shape of the next day?

What do these changes mean for Europe and the West in general? What is Greece’s place in this new landscape?”

Reordering the power sharing

In particular, he noted: “In the geopolitical sphere, we are witnessing the reordering of the power distribution, the emergence of revisionist tendencies and the re-emergence of competing theories and power politics that we thought belonged to the past.” He added that “the unipolar international system of the post-Cold War period is in the process of transition to a multipolar system of balance of power, where the West is seeking not only a modus vivendi with revisionist powers, but also a new division of rights and obligations among its members.”

He stressed that “the risk of fragmentation of the West must be avoided at all costs. Unity, determination and commitment to our liberal values and human rights are sine qua non conditions for defending our political, economic and social gains from the end of the Second World War to the present day.”

He observed, however, that “at the same time, armed conflicts, such as those inUkraine and in the Middle East, are a dramatic reminder that peace and stability cannot be taken for granted,” adding that “Brutal violations of fundamental principles of the international legal order, even by permanent members of the UNSC, may not formally alter the rules of international law, making e.g.They may not formally alter the formal rules of international law, e.g. by making the use or threat of force or the forcible change of borders legal, but they do dangerously weaken the foundations on which the international order, built after the most destructive war in the history of mankind, rests.

In this context, he assessed that “this trend must be reversed immediately and to this end, it is necessary, among other things, to reform the United Nations Organization, so that it not only reflects the international balances of the 21st century and not those of 1945, but also is able to meet its high mission of maintaining international peace and security”.

At the same time, he stressed that “we must work to strengthen multilateral international institutions and international cooperation, as well as to renew our commitment to the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter,including those of respect for territorial integrity and national sovereignty, the peaceful settlement of disputes and human rights.”

Supporting the struggle of the Ukrainian people is a duty

As he said, “At a time when these principles are being brutally tested, their defence is not an option but a necessity. For this reason, moreover, it is our duty to continue our unwavering support for the struggle of the Ukrainian people for peace and defence of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their country.”

Speaking about the situation in the Middle East, where conflicts are raging on various fronts, he recalled that “Greece supports the efforts for peace and considers that the ceasefire in both Iran and Lebanon are a first step towards de-escalation, which creates space for diplomacy and negotiations. Equally important is the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian problem on the basis of two states, as defined by the relevant United Nations resolutions. He said that “in this context, Greece supports the implementation of the second phase of the American Comprehensive Plan for ending the conflict in Gaza”, while he described the need for peace in Sudan, where one of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises is raging.

Globalization is being redefined

At the same time, in the economic sphere, he argued that “globalization is being redefined, with new forms of interdependence, but also with increasing tendencies towards fragmentation”, adding that “protectionism and extreme competition to secure critical raw materials, energy sources and new markets can only endanger in the long term not only the economic stability and prosperity of all of us, but also international peace and security itself”.

Similarly, he observed that “also in the field of technology, the rapid progress of artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities, but also new challenges, both for the economy and for the democratic functioning of modern societies“, he added: “The digital transition, to be peaceful, democratic and socially just, must be carried out with people and their needs in mind, with respect for work and with concern for the weakest.”

Speaking about Greece, he expressed the view that “the geopolitical upheavals and the new international conditions that are taking shape every day are of particular importance due to its geographical and geopolitical position”, and observed that “our country is located in a region of increased strategic importance, where energy flows, trade routes and competing strategic interests intersect”.

Greece remains firmly committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes

He also stressed that “in the Eastern Mediterranean, the worrying international and regional developments highlight the urgent need for stability and cooperation, with respect for international law, especially the international law of the sea” and added that “in this context, Greece remains firmly committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes, on the basis of international law, and to the promotion of good neighbourly relations, based on good faith dialogue”.

He specified, however, that “this, of course, requires the strong political will of all parties concerned, including Turkey, as well as the abandonment of revisionist and hegemonic narratives”and recalled that “at the same time, the Cyprus issue continues to be a major international problem of illegal invasion and occupation. Its resolution, on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions and the European acquis, remains at the top of Greek foreign policy, as a prerequisite for the full restoration of peace and stability in the region.”

He continued: “At the same time, Greece is systematically strengthening its defence armour, not as an option for confrontation, but as a prerequisite for security and deterrence in an unstable international environment. This strengthening is combined with the active participation of our country in international, regional and bilateral cooperation schemes that promote peace, security and development, without turning against anyone.” In fact, he stressed that “the recent unprecedented mobilisation of European defence assets, led by our country, to protect Cyprus from the consequences of the war in the Middle East, showed that our national and European collective security requires determination and coordinated action”.

Greece a hub

In the energy sector, he noted that “Greece is emerging as a hub for interconnection and diversification of sources and routes, contributing, mainly through the Vertical Corridor, to the energy security of South-Eastern Europe. The role and geopolitical value of our country is constantly emerging, due to the developments in the wider region and is recognized by all interested parties”.

As he stressed, “in this reality, Greece does not come as a country that is embarrassed or fearful of the future. It is coming to the country having conquered, especially in recent years, a new level of strength in the economy and in the constitution of the state, which allows it to respond better than ever to the complex challenges of the times. With a plan, with work, with faith in its potential, our country can turn difficulties into opportunities, opening up new paths in all fields. After all, history has shown that the nations that progress are those that shape their future with confidence, perseverance and collective effort.”

Commenting on the central theme of the 11th Delphi Forum, which this year is captured in the phrase, “Shock of the New”, he observed that “it is not just a vivid description of reality. It is a call to action. It invites us to re-examine our certainties, to strengthen our institutions and to invest in multilateralism and cooperation.”

In this context, he explained, “the point is not to eliminate uncertainty or possibly even fear in the face of change – that would, after all, be impractical. The issue is to manage these changes in a way that will enhance our security, stability, resilience and our perspective for the future.”

He concluded by stressing that “our times require sobriety, foresight and commitment to stable principles and values that transcend the current, unfavourable circumstances. It requires dialogue, cooperation, both at international and regional level. And it requires, above all, confidence in our ability to shape a safer, fairer and more sustainable future.”