The importance of a strong Greek voice in Europe over the next five years was emphasized by foreign minister, George Gerapetrite. He highlighted, in fact, that “the direction of the European Union will not stop”.
Speaking to ERT, he was invited to comment the result of the European elections in light of international developments – the two ongoing wars, the possibility of Trump’s election in the USA, etc. – about which Mr. Gerapetritis admitted that “we are concerned”, highlighted that “we are obviously following developments” and underlined: “I want, however, I must say that in the last few years, in the last five years, there were clear steps towards substantial autonomy of the European Union facing both the West and the East. It is important to have geopolitical autonomy, energy autonomy, political autonomy from the European Union. Therefore, although there will certainly be convulsions due to the results obtained, it is certain that the direction of the European Union will not be interrupted.”
The next term is critical for Greece’s interests
“It is extremely important, and I want to underline this, that we have before us a mandate in the European Union, which is very crucial for Greece’s interests, and unfortunately, I want to say this, with disappointment, that there has not been an extensive discussion and consultation on the issues in Europe during the pre-election period (…) It was very limited”, said Gerapetritis and added: “But I want to say that the next five years will be the five years of rural development, of Europe’s competitiveness vis-à-vis the United States, of implementation of the Migration Pact and especially Europe’s new geopolitics vis-à-vis the world. It is very important to have a strong Greek voice.”
Invited to comment French President Emmanuel Macron’s speech who announced elections in France, the Minister for Foreign Affairs noted that it is certain that there will be developments in Europe, both at the level of the States and at the level of the European Union. “At the level of States, we saw that the two main European States, the driving forces of the European Union, France and Germany, obtained results that overturn the existing political order. In France, we cumulatively have the extreme right at around 37% and a clear defeat for President Macron. And in Germany we have the Social Democrats who are in third place in the coalition government. We expect significant developments in both cases. As you know, President Macron has already dissolved Parliament and announced elections for June 30th”, explained Gerapetritis.
Asked how the message of the European elections in France and Germany could affect stability across Europe and how it could also affect the European position on these critical issues, Mr. Gerapetritis responded that “at this moment Europe will have to proceed based on the electoral results, which we have”, taking into account that we do not have major changes in the composition of the European Parliament. “There is a strengthening mainly of the European People’s Party, to which New Democracy also belongs, a relative strengthening of the extreme right and a recession in the Socialists and Liberals of the Macron group”, emphasized the minister.
He noted that “based on the data so far, there is a possibility that with a grand coalition, which will be created by the three dominant forces in the European Parliament, namely the European People’s Party, the Socialists and Renew, there will be leadership in the European Commission. And it’s something that will happen.”
“The necessary consents for leadership in Europe”
“As you know”, highlighted Gerapetritis, “our Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, undertook the processes together with the Prime Minister of Poland, Mr. Tusk, so that there is the necessary political consent to have leadership in Europe. On the 16th of July the European Parliament will meet in Brussels and Strasbourg, so that we can have the constitution of the Parliament and, if possible, based on the groups and political groups that will have been formed, we can also have the election of the new or new president of the European Commission”.
Noting that French President Macron wants Mario Draghi as President of the Commission and asked whether this could lead to a change in alliances, the Foreign Minister commented: “It is something we will wait and see. There are around 40 days left until the formation of the European Parliament. These 40 days are crucial for the future of Europe. I want to emphasize the following which is very important. We voted in favor of Europe, which Europe is currently transforming, becoming a geopolitical Europe. It is no longer a simple economic and political union. It is a geopolitical union, which resists wars in our region. It is necessary to have these compositions, so that we have a European Commission. I also want to remind you, because this is also important, that from 1 July the presidency of the European Council will be assumed by Hungary, whatever value that may have. That is why it is very important that the institutions of the European Union are established to be able to overcome any difficulties”.