Video: https://youtu.be/Z6qoOQ5D3kg
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to start by congratulating the organizers of this symposium which has now evolved into an important institution, and at a personal level Professor Perrakis.
The theme of this symposium, in which I would like to be able to participate – but my presence at the General Assembly of the United Nations has deprived me of that pleasure and opportunity – is topical and important because it addresses important issues and problems that both Europe and our wider region face.
An area directly affected by the geopolitical arc of instability stretching from Tunisia to Ukraine.
This conference is being organized in Rhodes and Kastelorizo, clearly indicating their geostrategic significance for both Europe and Greece in relation to the key issue of migration and security.
In this unstable international environment, many initially believed that it would be the economic crisis that would jeopardize the European project.
It did not take very long for us to understand that it is migration and the threat to security that puts at risk the future of the European construct and the great achievements of Europe’s integration process over the last 60 years.
And this because the two fundamental principles on which the united Europe was founded are being tested in order to deal with the migration issue: The principles of solidarity and responsibility.
Their questioning by some European governments have led Europe today into a profound crisis which impacts directly on its political cohesion and unity.
Europe is now confronted with rising nationalism and populism, whose forces at least question the united Europe, but at worst, seek to undermine it.
In other words, these voices want to return Europe to its recent dark past; a history which is fresh in the memories of post-war generations.
The democratic European political forces have a duty to put an end to the expansion of this threat, but also to respond dynamically to the political integration of the European construct and the revision of its social policy towards strengthening the conditions for social cohesion and sense of security for European citizens.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
None of the victories of the united Europe and none of the achievements of the last sixty years should be taken for granted.
The democracy, the peace, the security, the stability and prosperity require constant alertness, adaptation to new data, historical insight and, above all, openness and an interactive relationship with the wider society of European citizens.
This is what we have been working towards over the last four years, in areas where I have the responsibility on behalf of Europe for dealing with the effective management of migration as well as for a more effective cooperation and confidence building between all Member States in our fight against terrorism and for a more effective control and management of our common European borders.
This is a truly very difficult and sensitive mission that started in 2015; a time when Europe and most Member States were unprepared and surprised at the emerging large-scale refugee phenomenon on top of the multiple terrorist attacks in many European countries.
And since then, much has happened and much has been done. Just as much remains to be done in the future.
We are certainly not in the same position as we were then.
Europe is far better prepared.
We adopted and are implementing the European Agenda on Migration and the European Agenda on Security.
The European Border and Coast Guard was established,
Europol has been upgraded and frontline Member States such as Italy, Greece and Spain have been supported operationally, politically and financially.
We have tabled a proposal for the Revision of the Common European Asylum System to create a stable institutional framework that will provide a new European agreement, since Dublin as we know has reached its natural conclusion, to create a fair and effective permanent mechanism which is also ready to face future challenges.
And of course, among our priorities is the protection and preservation of the Schengen area, probably Europe’s greatest achievement, but which is also the first one that is directly affected by both migration and security challenges.
It is inconceivable to return to the era of a closed-border Europe.
Further, we have laid the foundations for the creation of a Security Union and we have promoted our cooperation with third countries such as Turkey, which, thanks to the joint EU-Turkey Statement, has led to an impressive reduction in migrant flows, and which Statement is being followed and implemented; but also with north and sub-Saharan countries such as on security issues, close cooperation with strong global players such as the United States of America, to jointly address the terrorist threat that is common to all of us.
Along with these measures, on our own initiative, we have called on the UN for convening an extraordinary UN General Assembly on Migration and also the global security co-operation which was the subject of my interventions and meetings in New York during these days.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am sure this year’s symposium will deepen analyses, the concerns, but also the responsibilities resulting from these issues and put all of us ahead of the great responsibility to preserve, to protect and strengthen even more the cohesion and unity of Europe and to consolidate the sense of security and confidence of European citizens that has been shaken in recent years.
The participation of representatives from all levels of society and from the academic community – and having in front of us a succinct overview of developments – I am sure, and I hope, will lead to important conclusions that all of us, and I personally, are looking forward to with great interest
because you may be sure that they will make a substantial contribution to shaping the policies that Europe and our citizens need, and rightly seek, in these times.
Concluding, I would like to ask you to convey my warmest greetings through your representatives to my beloved Kastelorizo and to the Dodecanese in general.
Like all Greeks, we hold them deep in our minds and hearts.
Thank you very much for your attention.