On the occasion of EuropeDay, the Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis referred to the importance of the Schuman Declaration and the role that the European Union is called upon to play in an unstable international environment.
As he noted in his message, Robert Schuman’s historic speech in 1950 was the starting point for European integration, just five years after the end of World War II.
“Just five years after the end of the Second World War, in 1950, Robert Schuman laid the foundations for European integration in his historic speech on 9 May. Today, 76 years after the Schuman Declaration, its key lessons on cooperation, peace and solidarity remain more relevant than ever.”
The Greek diplomatic chief spoke in particular about international developments and the challenges facing Europe today, stressing that Member States must maintain a common stance in the face of crises.
“In a period of intense geopolitical uncertainty and instability, and with war returning to the European continent, the 27 Member States of the Union must prove once again that cooperation between nations can prevail over conflict and division and continue to work to defend the values of democracy, freedom and human dignity,” he added.
Giorgos Gerapetritis also made a special reference to Greece’s position within the European Union, noting that the country actively supports efforts to strengthen European strategy and competitiveness.
“Greece, as one of the oldest member states of the European Union, actively supports efforts for the transformation, enlargement, strategic autonomy and competitiveness of the European Union and remains firmly committed to ensuring that this milestone in world history will always be a symbol of peace, solidarity and unity,” the Foreign Minister concluded.
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