Speech by the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, S. Anagnostopoulou, to the Parliamentary Special Standing Committee on European Affairs, Standing Committee on National Defense and Foreign Affairs, and Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, with the European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, P. Moscovici, in attendance. Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, on behalf of the Greek government, I welcome you to the Hellenic Parliament. I would like to thank you for the great interest you have shown in Greece and the Hellenic Parliament. You’ve visited us many times, and it is very important to us, to the Greek government, the Greek people, the whole country, that you are visiting us once again today. In your speech, you used the term ‘normalization’ of the Greek economy, social life, Greece itself; what the government has been saying constantly since August 2018: that after 10 years of crisis and harsh austerity, the country can finally return to normalcy. You explained the points that support this view on normalcy, and the fact alone that Greece is re-joining the European semester is very important in that it shows that our country has once again become an equal member of the European family. The data you gave us and the Commission’s conclusions are very important. In no case do they justify the scaremongering we heard from the opposition yesterday. To the contrary – and we need to show this to Greek society – they are grounds for optimism. Of course, the crisis and the memorandums left society wounded. We all know this. But since 2015, and even in the midst of the memorandums, and mainly since 2018, the Greek government, in consultation with the European institutions, has been doing its best to heal the wounds that have been inflicted on Greek society. Commissioner, you said that unemployment is still high, in spite of the significant reduction it has seen in recent years: about 10% lower than what it was in 2015. We agree with you and are working in that direction, because bringing unemployment down to the level of the European average is a top priority, as we believe that joblessness is the most serious wound that has been inflicted on Greek society. In this context, I would like to add my voice and say that, in the Multiannual Financial Framework that is being drawn up, provision for a European unemployment fund, within the framework of the EMU, would send a very important and strong message to European societies that Europe is in solidarity, first and foremost, with its peoples. The other point I would like to highlight, Mr. Commissioner, from your productive speech here to Greek MPs, is that this people, this peaceful people – in spite of the great tribulations they have seen – did not lose hope and, mainly, did not lose their European orientation. I want to say here – at a very critical time for Europe – that the Greek people not only continued to hope and to maintain their commitment to Europe, but are making an even greater effort to contribute to the European edifice that is being shaken. And they are making this effort precisely because there was a government that set social justice, solidarity and reciprocity above all else. Because, Commissioner, on the one hand there were the rules, of course; there was fiscal stability, the reforms. And we are committed in this direction. I think we have shown this, and this will be apparent at the 11 March Eurogroup meeting. But all of this had to be combined with one important thing: Society had to be inspired again and convinced that this European path is their path; that they can fight within this European framework and keep Euroscepticism from taking root as it has done in other European countries; countries that have not been through a crisis like Greece’s. The solidarity this crisis-ravaged people have shown during the refugee crisis clearly shows that a country’s political leadership, the values this leadership has – whether it is a progressive leadership – has a huge impact on the direction a society will take. I think this sends a strong signal to other European countries; countries that, I say again, did not go through this crisis. Commissioner, it is of the utmost importance to us – in the context of the European institutions – that this social face of Europe become more visible for sustainable growth, sustainable economy and competitiveness, which are of vital importance to Europe and Europe’s future. This can’t happen if Europe’s peoples do not mobilise. In other words, all of these things have to be linked with the content of democracy itself, which is the protection of social and individual rights. I want to say that this country, this government, took another bold step in the direction of a Europe of solidarity, coexistence and shared growth, because we believe that economic growth is intrinsically linked to and presupposes peace and a shared outlook with neighbouring peoples. The Prespa Agreement is not only a political milestone for our country and a milestone in our relations with North Macedonia. It is also a milestone for the Balkans as a whole and for a new European perspective. An economic, social and, above all, democratic perspective of peace. In spite of the reactions – in spite of the instances of nationalism we saw in our government and in the government of North Macedonia – it is no coincidence that both governments have progressive values, because when we speak of Europe we have to speak of European ideologies; forward-moving ideologies. Our country is a pillar of stability and, mainly, a pillar for the creation of a European space in the Balkans; a space of common growth, common outlooks and consensus, where the nations see each other as springboards for their own growth and for their own survival, and where they don’t throw up borders and fences between each other or see each other as enemies. Commissioner, I also want to say this: The Balkans are not for Europe the dark side of the moon. They are another side of Europe and a critical geographical space for European growth. This is why Greece remains firmly committed to the idea, the goal, of European integration for the Balkans, provided the countries of the Balkans meet the criteria for securing another future and another, European perspective. I will stop here. But first I would like to draw attention on two things: Europe is at a critical crossroads. Commissioner, the upcoming European elections are very, very important for the direction Europe will take. They will decide not only the history of current generations, but of future generations as well. Some years from now, the history of Europe may take us to task for the direction we will have taken. Brexit, Euroscepticism and the extreme-right forces that are currently growing in Europe bode badly if Europe cannot change direction. Europe needs to re-inspire its peoples with its vision – one of the greatest visions the world has ever seen – and make this vision alluring once again. So, we have a responsibility to the peoples of Europe and in these European elections. And I again insist that the Multiannual Financial Framework should reflect European leaderships’ commitment to a new direction for Europe; a direction in which individual and social rights, solidarity among nations, reciprocity and European cohesion are what bring European economic growth, economic sustainability and competitiveness. We all have to remember – and, as the European elections draw near, never forget – why and on what ruins Europe’s great visionaries conceived of the European endeavour. A vision conceived in the wake of over 30 million dead. A vision inspired by the millions of internal European refugees and migrants, and by a world that wanted a different future. Thank you very much, and welcome to Greece.
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