President Sakellaropoulou to IX DEF: Greece participates equally in the European, regional and international developments

Greece is equally participating in the European, regional and international developments, President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou said on Wednesday, opening the 9th Delphi Ecoomic Forum, adding that it shares the common values that Europe embodies and actively strives for their promotion and deepening.
Sakellaropoulou spoke of an international institution that has turned into a reference point for Greece and not only, noting that this year’s Forum with main issue “The Great Transition”  is held in an environment of intense geopolitical rearrangements and challenges, not only for Europe but for the whole world.
Referring to Greece, she underlined that “as a country with an established democracy and a proven commitment to the united Europe, it plays a leading role in supporting the accession process of the Western Balkans and in upgrading the political and economic cooperation of all the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Europe.” However, she noted that “a prerequisite for this, of course, is the unwavering respect, by all countries of the region, of the principles of the rule of law, human rights, as well as good neighbourly relations and of the international law.”
On the geopolitical challenges not only in Europe but throughout the world, she pointed out: “The ongoing war in Ukraine, apart from a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and international law in general, it remains a serious threat for the European security and for the global stability. The European Union responded with unity, speed and determination with coordinated actions. Greece has practically supported all the common efforts providing the Ukrainian people with assistance until a comprehensive, fair and constant peace with total respect of Ukraine’s indepenence, sovereignty and territorial integrity inside its internationally acknowledged borders, is reached. Our support should continue without objections and delays as it constitutes the key means of deterring the Russian aggression and revisionism.”
On the conflict in the Middle East she said that the “the humanitarian crisis in Gaza which is unfortunately intensifying, the turmoil in the Red Sea with its effects on international trade and shipping, and the risk of the spreading of the war with incalculable consequences remind in a dramatic way that peace should not be taken for granted.” The current situation and the serious geopolitical crises underline the importance of  EU’s energy and strategic independence, as well as its enlargement, especially towards the Western Balkans”.
The Greek president also referred to the climate crisis which has already taken the dimensions of a crisis and of “state of emergency.”

Finally, on the protection of EU external borders, she said that it is a top priority which, however should align with our duty to protect human life, showing the necessary solidarity to the countries that are called to shoulder the main burden. “The migration issue does not only concern some countries but the entire European family, which, in close cooperation with third states, must deal with it, while remaining faithful to the ideals it advocates.”