D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Thank you Mr. Speaker. The Plenary of the Hellenic Parliament is looking today at the ratification of a major agreement between Greece and Canada, which was signed during Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit to Greece in May 2011. It was announced at the time that the Hellenic Parliament would ratify it soon – a commitment we have kept. A lot is happening in Greece right now, but the continuity in the functioning of the Greek state has not stopped. Especially at a time when our international relations are on the front line of our priorities, because they have to do with our country’s international image, which has suffered as a result of everything that has happened recently. And it is up to all of us in this hall to work together to change that image.
The Agreement has already been ratified by Canada, and I am particularly pleased that the Standing Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs decided by majority in favor of its ratification, despite the reservations expressed by parties during the Committee’s debate on 23 October.
Our intention was for the ratification of this Agreement to coincide with the celebration of 70 years of Greek-Canadian diplomatic relations in Ottawa, within the framework of my visit, which was scheduled for today.
Unfortunately, hurricane Sandy, which hit the east coast of the U.S. and Canada, forced us to postpone the official visit. But a few hours from now there will be a special event in the Canadian Parliament, given everything I have just said, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations.
I talked to my Canadian counterpart John Baird last night, expressing the sympathy and solidarity of the Greek people in these difficult hours for the north eastern seaboard, and we agreed to carry out the visit very soon.
Canada is a country with which Greece has close cooperation and excellent relations on the bilateral, multilateral and transatlantic levels. I would like you to note that during these two very difficult years Greece has been through, Canada’s stance towards Greece has been particularly positive, and I would say that, though it didn’t surprise me, I was very pleased at the fact that Canada showed such great interest in this visit’s taking place.
Our two countries have made a particular effort in recent years, through a series of high-level meetings, with the result that we can see very positive movement in these relations, to the benefit of both countries and both peoples.
At this point I feel obliged to underscore the size, the importance and the high level of the Greek Canadian community. You are aware, and I would just like to remind you, that, as in the U.S., the Greek community statistically distinguishes itself, stands out, in the sciences. Right now, Greeks hold one of the top positions – in both the U.S. and Canada – in the sciences, and among distinguished researchers and in technology. It is a particularly dynamic portion of the Hellenic Diaspora, which is fully integrated into Canada’s multicultural environment, and which maintains close, traditional and strong ties to Greece. In both countries, we can be proud of this.
The Agreement on Youth Mobility is part of this positive framework that characterizes the relations between the two countries.
For Greece, it is a pioneering Agreement that will be implemented on an equal and reciprocal basis. Such programmes have been implemented successfully for years now between many countries.
Canada already has such Agreements in place with some 30 other countries, including 18 EU countries. It my assessment – and you will agree with me – the scientific human resources of these 18 EU countries is not threatened by such an agreement. In fact, it contributes to mutual enrichment in knowledge and experience, at a time when we are experiencing a bold opening of borders, we are experiencing a new reality, where the revolution in the new technologies, transport and communications has opened our horizons and enabled young people in particular to discover fields, countries, cultures; to broaden and deepen their knowledge, and this agreement certainly contributes to this end.
I think it advisable to clarify for the Plenary Session that this Agreement in no case concerns or is aimed at immigration, because something along those lines was heard earlier.
And, of course, it entails no “brain drain”. It is not designed to provide permanent employment solutions in either Canada or Greece.
But what it does do is open paths for the furthering of the scientific careers of Greek researchers and scientists, and it is a major investment for those taking part in the programme and for Greece. And it also has to do with our day-to-day lives, with young children, who will someday want to seek knowledge and experience beyond our borders. We say this today as a people par excellence of citizens of the world. Before other peoples had discovered the world, our forebears had discovered it and contributed to the development and progress of countries where they chose to exercise their right to live. So, in the era of this new open world, we cannot talk in terms of introversion. Nor should we allow isolation, and allow me to stress this in particular, in the light of everything that is happening in Greece right now.
There will be an equal number of participants from both countries, and the population of each country is not taken into consideration.
Specifically, the Agreement provides for simplified procedures, in accordance with the corresponding national legislation of each side, so that young Greek and Canadian citizens – between 18 and 35 – can have the opportunity to travel, reside and work in each other’s countries for up to twelve months.
Under the condition, however, that they satisfy the conditions of one of the three following categories:
1. They are graduates of post-secondary or tertiary education institutions in their country and want to gain work experience, with a predetermined employment contract.
2. They are students at post-secondary or tertiary educational institutions and want to do a predetermined internship in the other country.
3. They want to travel to the other country for a long vacation, with the option of working temporarily to supplement their funds.
What could be better for young people? I remind you that this takes place very extensively within the European family.
It is a new form of what we used to call “experience in international living”.
Each young person may re-enter the programme only one additional time, and in a different category.
Of course, Greece’s obligations under EU law and the Schengen Treaty have been borne in mind.
The Greeks who benefit from this Agreement will have the opportunity – in a large, modern, democratic and friendly country – to broaden their horizons, gaining a comparative advantage in their later careers, in the difficult, competitive national and international environment.
Especially at a time like this, when our country is going through its greatest social and economic crisis since the Second World War.
Similarly, young Canadians who get to know and love Greece, participating in Greek education, culture and day-to-day life, will certainly – we have experience of this from our tourism – be added to the friends of Greece round the world. As Mr. Quick said earlier, they will become “Ambassadors of Greece” throughout the world.
I assure you, ladies and gentlemen MPs, that the Foreign Ministry will bear fully in mind the comments and many constructive observations of the MPs in the Standing Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs.
In coordination with the co-competent services, the Foreign Ministry will make every effort to see this Agreement implemented quickly and effectively, to assess it regularly – with written notification of the Committee by the Foreign Ministry every time the programme is implemented, and with a general annual assessment by the Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs of the progress of the programme, at a special meeting of the Committee.
What is more, I am certain that you will agree with me that this Agreement we are discussing today is an opportunity for the youth of both countries and will open new horizons, new opportunities, new experiences and new prospects for both Greece and Canada in the future. And an opportunity we create for youth is an investment in our country’s future.
Thank you.
October 31, 2012