Europe is without doubt going through the most difficult period of its post-war history, since the time that its leaders and peoples decided to follow a common path to peace, security and economic development.
Over the last decades, European Federalists have stayed loyal to this vision. We asked for more Europe, strived for institutional unity, demanded democratic reform. We achieved a lot, yet still more is needed now.
The fight for a better Europe was – and is – a cross-partisan fight of ideas that transcends the political establishment in Member States.
All those who believe in the idea of a truly United Europe realise that today, despite our differences, despite our different approaches, the time has come to take the big fundamental decisions that will determine the future of our Union.
The contribution of Greece to the Union has been decisive: in the relations of the EU with the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean Basin, in the establishment of the Integrated Mediterranean Programme and subsequently the Structural Funds, in the evolution of the European institutions to their present form.
Greece’s position lies in the heart of Europe. However it is not enough that European politicians adhere to this statement. It must be proven by the Greek citizens.
We are gravely concerned that a large number of Greek voters refused to participate in the election of May 6 or supported extremist parties opposed to the European path of the country.
The new elections will determine Greece´s place in Europe.
We call upon all pro-European parties in Greece which belong or seek to belong to the big European political families to present the Greek people with clear and realistic proposals for the resolution of the crisis within the framework of the EU and the Eurozone, to increase their efforts for a common electoral platform of parties which belong to the same political family in order to allow all pro-European forces to be represented in the next Parliament, and to underline the need for post-electoral cooperation between parties belonging to different political families on a programmatic basis. The common goal for all must be to maintain and strengthen Greece’s European path in the difficult time that lies ahead, a process that other countries have been through or are currently in.
The EU has certainly committed several mistakes and has strayed away from its path at times. Yet it remains the only successful example of transnational cooperation for peace, security and prosperity worldwide. Greece has no choice but to remain in the heart of this endeavour. We cannot allow the sacrifices of the Greek people and their contribution to Europe over the past 30 years to have been in vain.
European Federalists believe that the future of Europe lies in the hands of its citizens.
Andrew Duff Philipp Agathonos Nikos Lampropoulos
UEF President UEF Vice-President President of UEF Greece
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