“The country needs political stability. He cannot allow political instability, lack of governance, endless party bargaining,” the ex-premier said. Kostas Karamanlisspeaking at the ND event in Zappeio, dedicated to the 44th anniversary of the signing of the document on the accession of Greece to the EEC.

“After the elections, the country needs a stable government with a clear mandate and a four-year horizon. Only our faction can guarantee this stability and perspective. As he has been doing for almost half a century,” he said. Mr. Karamanlis also emphasized that “with the support of all of us, our faction is strong and will achieve another electoral victory in the upcoming elections,” and concluded:

“Certainly, the government has serious work to do. Good examples are improved economic performance, investment, tax reform, significant advancement of the digital state, immigration management, increased deterrence of the military. The next government, the prime minister, must continue to work with even greater efficiency. Especially in sensitive areas such as health and education, citizen security and the administration of justice.”

At the same time, in his speech, he strongly criticized the European Union and the way it works today. He stated that Konstantinos Karamanlis’ vision of integrating Greece into a united Europe was a fundamental strategic choice, consisting of three main components: first, the integration of our country into a zone of peace, security and solidarity against the constant threat that Greece faces from the east. Secondly, its inclusion in the zone of economic development and prosperity. And thirdly, its alliance with a large group of democratic states, thereby providing a democratic state “which has often been contested in the past.”

“Today, almost all of us recognize that this is our natural space and any other thought is unthinkable. It is clear that the European family has provided Greece with the most effective means it has ever had to fulfill its three main tasks, i.e. protecting its security, promoting prosperity and consolidating a stable democratic state,” he stressed. Kostas Karamanlis.

The former prime minister also stressed the need for European integration, which would dramatically increase European power, in which political union would lead to the predominance of European principles and values ​​and their extension to the rest of the world.

“Unfortunately, today the European building is left unfinished and does not meet the expectations of the visionary leaders and people of the first post-war decades. In fact, in most cases, inefficiency, introversion, and frustration are ubiquitous. Short-sighted policies dictated by the narrow interests of Member States undermine common efforts or lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. The decline in reflexes, the slow response to crises such as the pandemic and immigration, has led not only to stagnation, but perhaps also to the retreat of the prospect of European integration,” said the former prime minister.

“Unable to act effectively”

He stressed the EU’s inability to act quickly and effectively during the global economic crisis that emerged in 2008-2009. According to him, instead of a quick and decisive reaction, there was confusion, difficulties in making decisions, a lack of solidarity, and sometimes in hindsight.

Mr. Karamanlis referred to the position of the EU in the case of our country, while admitting that there were mistakes on the part of Greece as well.

“However, there is no doubt that the prescription imposed on Greece, in addition to some self-evident and excessive measures, was to a large extent destructive, punitive and exemplary for others. It is also not disputed that they did not live up to almost all of their forecasts, as they themselves admitted, of course, after the holiday,” he said.

He accused the countries of the north of refusing to understand that the conditional pooling of debt and the transfer of resources from their trade surpluses to weaker countries, “which is the essence and basic condition of the European building, referring among other things to moralistic arguments, is tantamount to denying a common European identity.” and perspectives.

Social inequality

Kostas Karamanlis said that this attitude of rich countries leads to widening and deepening social inequalities, marginalization of growing population groups, futility of an increasing number of young people and a permanent weakening of the welfare state.

He also said that the recipe for Europe’s success was growth, investment and prosperity with social cohesion and protection, but that model has now faded into the background.

“In the name of globalization with many distortions, an anarchic financial landscape and uncertainty in international markets, most of the economically weaker segments of the population are facing a reduction in their incomes, cuts in social benefits, reduced opportunities for decent work, their pensions,” said Mr. Karamanlis. and added that this is the biggest danger for Europe.

He sounded the alarm, saying that increasing inequality and social exclusion is a mine in the foundations of social peace and political normality, and the image of unstable governments, weak leaders and the rise of anti-systemic movements and parties in Europe is directly intertwined with the above.

Europe is missing from the geopolitical chessboard

It is just as clear – as Mr. Karamanlis said – that Europe is lagging behind on the big geopolitical chessboard, and this is more evident in the war in Ukraine. He condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but said a ceasefire and a return to the negotiating table were now a priority.

“Anyone who advocates total victory for either of the opposing sides is either gaining momentum or covertly advocates perpetuating the conflict. And in general, first of all, Europe suffers from the prolongation of the war and its consequences,” he said.

Attitude towards Turkey

“Europe cannot tolerate threats of violence against its territory or send messages of appeasement against the hegemonic aspirations of Turkey,” said Kostas Karamanlis, expressing, in his words, his disagreement with the policy of appeasement.

Over time and systematically, said Mr. Karamanlis, Turkey has been making unilateral claims and indeed regardless of election results, governments and individuals. It aspires to a hegemonic role in the Eastern Mediterranean, and Greece is the main obstacle to the realization of these aspirations.

“The Blue Motherland Doctrine leaves no room for doubt about this. Random ups and downs in intensity do not change reality. Tsavusoglu’s recent statements about the unclear status of the Aegean, even in the midst of the current recession, do not allow for illusions. Because it is a delusion to think that any deviation from the established national positions will solve the problem. Or, even worse, a package solution, that is, all the claims that Turkey arbitrarily and unilaterally puts forward, is a realistic approach,” he said.

He made it clear that our country will apply to The Hague only for the delimitation of the EEZ and the continental shelf, since all other issues raised by Turkey have been resolved and regulated by international law and international treaties.

“You did the right thing, Mr. Prime Minister, by re-emphasizing this just recently,” Mr. Karamanlis said. He made clear that no self-respecting country puts its national sovereignty and territorial integrity at risk in any negotiation, mediation or trial, and urged Turkey to understand this “absolutely and undeniably”.

“But also allies and partners who repeatedly try to promote the ideas of complete compromise and develop plans to divide the Aegean. Everything is clear: the status of the islands is a given and is not subject to any discussion, the right to defense and deterrence to ensure the security of the islands is non-negotiable, the right to expand territorial waters is, according to international law, unilateral and under the exclusive jurisdiction of each country. Point,” said Kostas Karamanlis. There is no luxury of political instability.

Source: RES-IPE