Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen MPs,
With very few exceptions, this debate is coming to a close sending out a message of national and political responsibility and, above all, national unity. There is no doubt whatsoever – and this conclusion arises from everything that has been said so far – that our national rights are inalienable. With responsibility and gravity we defend them in the name of all Greeks, without exception. We are making the right moves at the right time, under ripe conditions, with firm political, moral and legal foundations. And we are all present in this endeavor.
As elected representatives of the Greek people, this is obvious – and I refer to Manolis Glezos’ statement, “We identify ourselves with the history of the nation and future of the country.”
So this national unity is expressed today in the Hellenic Parliament. But allow me to make a special reference, because in the course of his statements, Mr. Tsipras referred to the Prime Minister, requesting that he be present for the discussion of this very important issue.
We forget, however, that the Ministers represent the Prime Minister here. No initiative is undertaken if it does not have the approval of the Prime Minister. Thus, the Prime Minister was present from the very outset to the end of this debate, and the Foreign Ministry, to which you addressed the question, is here with all its leadership.
I return to the issue, reminding you of our communication, which led to today’s session being held, following the first phone call with Mr. Manolis Glezos and the adjustment of my schedule – I returned from Brussels late last night, as you know – so that we could be here. Not just because institutional duty required it, but also because we want to be here. Because I really believe that as the years pass and reference is made to sessions like today’s, we will want to tell our children that we, too, were there.
Ladies and Gentlemen Colleagues,
I would like to note that this debate of ours, which ends shortly, reaffirms that three things are necessary.
First of all, documentation; second, strong political will; and third, consensus.
It arises from today’s debate that all of us agree on these three points, and I leave aside the voices that were more like shrieks, were in fact low in volume and of no substance or importance.
So it is our responsibility to succeed and move all together along the path we opened for the vindication and fulfilment of Greece’s claims.
The first step in this process is the opinion of the State Legal Service. We had to have recourse to that in order to gain strong legal means. We have to wait for this opinion and then we will evaluate it carefully so that we can decide on the next steps, one of which – and this is something that was said earlier, and we are responding to that – is for us to meet again in this chamber to debate our next moves. But methodically, with gravity, with conscientiousness, and above all with unity.
Ladies and Gentlemen MPs,
The matter of reparations is pending, but, as I said in my initial response, this time it will be closed. And I noted that it will be closed with justice prevailing. In this move we are all present as elected representatives of the Greek people.
But I want to refer to the German people. Another people who were reborn from the ashes of a catastrophe they were led to by the Nazis. That people is watching us today.
From this chamber we are sending a message of solidarity to all the peoples of Europe, in the face of our common goals and common challenges.
At the outset, I pointed up – and I repeat – that the relations between the Greek and German peoples are at the best possible level. I noted the presence there of hundreds of thousands of Greeks and the millions of Germans who have visited our country in recent years. Two peoples who have bonded in the face of their common European perspective. So that is why we shouldn’t let pass even the slightest sense or impression that we are trying to shape a negative climate in our bilateral relations.
I don’t want to tire you any further. But I gave my assurances that the Foreign Ministry will continue – methodically, with gravity, with careful documentation, with the right diplomatic moves – what it has undertaken in the name of all Greeks and as that proceeds as a mandate from Parliament, as well, through the debate that took place today. I truly want to believe that this will be the last act, my dear Manolis Glezos, in this 60-year-old case that is in progress and has not yet closed. This time it will close, and I also want to believe that the very important point you underscored – in what you said today, as well as in your book, which I read, and which you were kind enough to offer me – will be vindicated: That this vindication will be above all moral.
April 24, 2013