Seven decades after the historic speech by Robert Schuman which laid the foundations for the European Union, we are experiencing the most critical period in the history of our Union. The European Union is facing jolts, challenges, and cracks. Nonetheless, it continues to be the most inspired decision of peoples who, following the disastrous results of Fascism and Nazism during World War II, chose to join forces for progress, growth, prosperity, and peace to prevail on our continent. There are numerous challenges, just like the mistakes of the past are also numerous. The technocratic rhetoric, the rigid language of European texts, the decisions made behind closed doors, the lack of control mechanisms that alienate a large sector of European citizens, all this requires that we seek to make changes. In the European Union of the 21st century, we continue to draw inspiration from the core values of liberty, equality, and solidarity. We fight for transparency in institutions and mechanisms. We fight so that wherever there is a lack of democracy, that this be reversed, and for equal access to be provided to citizens to the decision-making centres. Greece is sending a message of commitment to European ideas with a stance of humanity and solidarity during the unprecedented refugee crisis. Greece, with the Prespa Agreement which sealed the resolution of a decades-old problem in the Balkans, leads the way for the peaceful resolution of conflict and ensuring the conditions for the harmonious co-existence of neighbouring peoples. These bridges of cooperation in the Balkans serve as great proof that citizens themselves, as well as their needs, play a central role in a Europe of the peoples. In the European elections of 26 May all European citizens must vote for our common future, because Europe is our playing field, and it is here that we are all called upon to compete.
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