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Europe Day: Politicians' Messages on the Premier Peace Endeavor Marking 76 Years
🇬🇷 Greece /Culture & Society

Europe Day: Politicians' Messages on the Premier Peace Endeavor Marking 76 Years

From Ta Nea · (1h ago) Greek Positive tone

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Greek politicians marked Europe Day by honoring the 1950 Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundation for the European Union.
  • Officials emphasized that the core lessons of cooperation, peace, and solidarity from the declaration remain highly relevant amidst current geopolitical uncertainty.
  • Greece reaffirmed its commitment to the EU's evolution, expansion, and strategic autonomy, highlighting the nation's long-standing ties to the European project.

On Europe Day, Greece joined the rest of the continent in reflecting on the foundational principles of the European Union, rooted in Robert Schuman's historic 1950 declaration. This occasion serves as a vital reminder for us in Greece, a nation with deep historical and cultural ties to Europe, of the enduring significance of peace, cooperation, and solidarity.

Today, 76 years after the Schuman Declaration, its core lessons on cooperation, peace, and solidarity remain more relevant than ever.

— Giorgos Gerapetritis, Minister of Foreign AffairsThe Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted the enduring relevance of the Schuman Declaration's principles.

Our Foreign Minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis, rightly stressed that the ideals of the Schuman Declaration are more pertinent than ever. In a period marked by global instability, it is crucial that European nations reaffirm their commitment to collective action over conflict. Greece, as one of the EU's longest-standing members, actively supports the Union's ongoing efforts towards greater strategic autonomy and competitiveness, a vision that resonates strongly with our national interests.

five years after the end of World War II, in 1950, Robert Schuman, in his historic speech on May 9, laid the foundations for European integration.

— Giorgos Gerapetritis, Minister of Foreign AffairsThe Minister of Foreign Affairs recalled the historical context of the Schuman Declaration.

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou eloquently described the EU as the "foremost project of peaceful cooperation and progress for peoples in modern history." Her words echo the sentiment that the European project, inspired by ancient Greek thought and Enlightenment ideals, was conceived to make war not just unthinkable but materially impossible. This historical perspective is particularly important for us in Greece, as we look back on our own journey from an applicant in 1959 to a full member in 1981 and a participant in the Eurozone.

Greece, as one of the oldest member states of the European Union, actively supports efforts for the evolution, enlargement, strategic autonomy, and competitiveness of the Union.

— Giorgos Gerapetritis, Minister of Foreign AffairsThe Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed Greece's commitment to the EU's development.

As we confront contemporary challenges—from geopolitical tensions and energy security to the climate crisis and social inequalities—the European idea demands renewed vigor. The vision of a stronger, fairer, and more cohesive Europe is not merely an aspiration; it is a necessity for our shared future. This is how we, in Greece, understand the continuous evolution of the European project: as a testament to our collective ability to overcome division and build a common destiny.

the European Union remains the foremost project of peaceful cooperation and progress for peoples in modern history.

— Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of the RepublicThe President of the Republic emphasized the EU's significance as a peace project.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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