Foreign Minister Stavros Dimas participated today in the international Berlin Foreign Policy Forum, which was co-hosted by the German Foreign Ministry and the Korber Foundation. The Forum looked at European foreign policy, the role of member states in shaping that policy, and young Europeans’ perceptions of the EU on the international stage. The discussion focused on the major problems Europe is facing currently due to the economic crisis, as well as on the actions the EU needs to take in response. German Foreign Minister G. Westerwelle and Polish Foreign Minister R. Sikorski also participated in the Forum, expressing their full support for and solidarity with Greece and the efforts it is making.
All three ministers referred to the need for Europe to move ahead quickly with the institutional reform and deepening required to restore the euro’s credibility and provide legal certainty and predictability for the European economy. Greek Foreign Minister Dimas stressed the need to bolster the European economy and social cohesion – as well as the institutional equality of member states during the relevant debate – underscoring the importance of speedy action in confronting the crisis.
When the question was raised of the extent to which Europe is currently facing a leadership deficit, Mr. Dimas noted that in times of crisis there are always allegations of lack of leadership. But he expressed his certainty that Europe will soon prove that it has leadership and that it is capable of taking the necessary decisions for emerging from the crisis, noting his optimism and that Europe is stronger when it is unified.
Responding to questions as to the ability of the EU and its member states to play a dynamic role in international developments at a time when Europe is facing the most serious crisis in its history, Mr. Dimas pointed to the example of Greece during the Libya crisis: the huge operation carried out – under extremely difficult conditions – to evacuate citizens from China and other countries. In this case, Mr. Dimas said, Greece showed that Europe and its member states can make a decisive contribution to confronting serious crises on a global level. With regard to Syria, Mr. Dimas underscored the regime’s obligation to stop attacking and killing its citizens immediately, stressing the importance of continued pressure on the Assad regime from the international community, the EU and the Arab League.
November 29, 2011