Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Terens Quick’s speech at the High-Level Forum “Europe-Africa” of the Austrian Presidency of the E.U. (Vienna, 18 December 2018)

“For decades, the Western world along with Europe, have looked towards Asia; not a glance towards Africa. And the results are well-known. Africa is paying for it with poverty and multiple domestic problems in many countries, as well as cross-border problems. We are also paying for it with the flows of migrants to Europe, as well as at the European border, in Greece, where they seek a better life.
We do not agree with the logic of certain of our partners in the European Union which, faced with this problem, build walls and fences. The Greeks prefer to build bridges of humanity, solidarity, and respect. But despite all this, we must congratulate this initiative by the Austrian Presidency to convene this high-level forum, inviting all who build bridges of development with Africa, and bridges that aim towards the prosperity of its peoples.”

This is what Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs T. Quick stressed in his speech at the high-level Forum “Europe-Africa” that was organised by the Austrian Presidency of the E.U. in Vienna, with the participation of 12 Presidents, 11 Prime Ministers, 23 Ministers & Deputy Ministers.

Mr Quick also stressed that Greece, for two years now, has carried out a series of visits to Africa, and mainly to Sub-Saharan countries where very significant communities of Greek nationals exist, contributing to the preparation of business missions by Greek companies which, in addition to their outward-looking nature, also assist in the creation of employment opportunities for the local population. Finally, Mr Quick made a special reference to the very significant bilateral and trilateral - together with Cyprus - cooperation with Egypt.

On the margins of the Forum, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Terens Quick had the opportunity to speak with the President as well as with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, the Presidents of Romania, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Czech Republic, and with Ministers from France, Malta, Morocco, Latvia, Mozambique, and Botswana.