The 16th regular conference of the New Democracy was described as a “celebration of democracy and hope” by the secretary of the parliamentary group of the New Democracy, Maximos Charakopoulos, during his statement, while sending a clear political message for the continuation of the party’s government course.
He made an extensive reference to the long-term course of the ND, noting that it was the political force that led Greece to the then EOK and kept it at the core of Europe in difficult times for the country.
“It was New Democracy that kept Greece in Europe when others were experimenting irresponsibly, teetering on the precipice. Those who come today with the halo of the messiah thinking they are addressing Lotophagians,” he said.
The reference to Europe and defence policy
Maximos Charakopoulos argued that today’s Greece has an active role in European developments, particularly on defence, energy and foreign policy issues.
As he noted, “today Greece is playing a leading role in the realization of the great goal of emancipation of Europe. It is leading the way in the emergence of Europe as a distinct economic and military power, with a unified defence and foreign policy, with energy security, with a strong European identity based on our common cultural traditions and Christian values, to which Manfred Weber referred earlier.
He also made a special reference to the strengthening of the country’s defence capabilities, attributing the developments to the governments of Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
“And it is Greece, thanks to the wise and genuinely patriotic policy of upgrading its defence capabilities by the Mitsotakis governments, that paved the way for the practical European support of the Republic of Cyprus,” he said.
Energy infrastructure and the message for third self-reliance
In his speech, the secretary of the Central Committee of the New Democracy also referred to the country’s energy initiatives, noting that Greece is acquiring a strategic role in Europe’s energy security.
“And it is Greece of the New Democracy that contributes with the new energy infrastructure to the future energy security of Europe so that it never again becomes an object of energy dependence. And it is the Greece of the South-West that started exploration for hydrocarbons after decades of thought and postponement. And it is the Greece of Kyriakos Mitsotakis that has gone from being the black sheep of Europe to an example to be emulated and praised”, he stressed.
Concluding his speech, Maximos Charakopoulos also gave the political stamp of the party in view of the next elections, stressing that the Southwest will continue to proceed with credibility and responsibility as its main axes.
“Our field is that of work, credibility and responsibility and in this no one can compete with us. That is how we will go all the way to the elections and that is how we will claim a third self-reliance, so as not to leave the country exposed to the dangers of ungovernability,” he concluded.
