In a videoconference of EU member-state Ambassadors, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis presented the Greek proposal ahead of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which will be starting next month.
The proposal, which was recently presented to the Council of Ministers, includes 6+1 pillars: The European Defence and Security framework; European Cohesion Policies; Environment and Climate Change; Migration; Research and Innovation, with emphasis on the role of Youth; the strategy for deepening the EMU; and the “Rule of Law-Democracy-Human Rights” triptych.
Mr. Varvitsiotis, who is heading the Greek initiative, briefed the heads of the EU member-state delegations on Greece’s positions, underscoring that the Conference coincides with the 40th anniversary of Greece’s accession to the EEC and the bicentennial of the Greek Revolution.
In his remarks, the Alternate Minister pointed to the major pandemic-related challenges the EU is facing and the unprecedented decision to bolster the European economy through the Recovery Fund, also noting that the Greek Prime Minister’s proposal for a European vaccination certificate is very important ahead of the tourism season.
Regarding the Conference on the Future of Europe, Mr. Varvitsiotis stressed that Greece welcomes the recent joint statement of the three EU institutions on the opening of the Conference and is ready to participate actively in this dialogue through Parliament, local administration and the academic community. There will be particular emphasis on youth mobility, as this concerns “the next generation of people who will lead the European Union, and we want to prepare the ground on which they will work and distinguish themselves.” The Alternate Minister also invited the EU member-state Ambassadors to contribute with ideas and proposals in the context of Greece’s participation.
