K. Tassoulas: The outcome of the war in Ukraine must send a strong message to the aggression of any authoritarian leader

“The outcome of the war in Ukraine must send a strong message to the aggression of every authoritarian leader. Historical revisionism and open aggression in violation of international law will not be tolerated by the international community of democracies,” he said. Parliament Speaker Konstantinos Tassoulas announcing the end of the work of the 9th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the South East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP PA), of which Greece has held the Presidency since July 2021. “The language of hostility and dictatorship “We will not allow nostalgia to prevail,” said the Speaker of Parliament.

Referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Konstantinos Tassoulas said: “Unfortunately, what Europe had managed to make unthinkable happened: At its core, war. And this reminds us that humanity, although it thinks it is postmodern, remains in essence, archaic “.

“So we are experiencing a difficult, heavy, unprecedented experience, as our generation has not experienced such a challenge. Our parents, our grandparents were comrades-in-arms. Our generation has no comrades-in-arms. It has classmates, comrades, co-drivers. But “We do not have comrades-in-arms. Our parents had comrades-in-arms. The circumstances were different,” said the Speaker of Parliament, emphasizing that ” of peace and stability “.

“New guarantees, new initiatives are needed, as this invasion challenges the whole post-war security and peace architecture. The Western Balkans must join the EU and the processes must be accelerated. The candidate countries must push for the necessary reforms. “to approach the European acquis and the EU must act in a coordinated manner with discrimination and clearly with imagination, beyond the trampled,” said Mr. Tassoulas, who reminded that for Greece, the Western Balkans are the economic hinterland and one of the most important areas of our business community. At the same time, the EU is the main political, economic and trade partner of the Western Balkans. The financial and investment plan drawn up by the European Commission is now providing unprecedented financial support, mobilizing around € 30 billion over the next seven years.

“Greece will continue to work steadily and unwaveringly for the European perspective of south-eastern Europe, because we believe that only this can ensure peace, reconciliation and prosperity for our peoples. Regional cooperation, in all areas, is the most effective means “for stability, security and good neighborly relations,” he said, adding that “the simultaneous energy and inflation crisis we are experiencing, as a result of the pandemic crisis and the invasion of Ukraine, are forcing us to seek common to protect the incomes of our households “.

“Rising cost of living risks destabilizing democracy as populist voices and demagogues will find fertile ground to act and certainly not for the benefit of the people. Our concern must be to defend liberal parliamentary democracy and repel popular voices. The West, with all its weaknesses and flaws, remains by far the best place to develop a free, democratic and prosperous life, and we, as representatives of parliament “The challenges of the future, which are complex. Peacekeeping, security, tackling climate change, reducing inequalities, combating false news, strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law are some of them,” he said. the Speaker of Parliament.

Referring to the Greek presidency of the SEECP, the Speaker of Parliament said that it was productive to emphasize that “it is the duty of all of us to remain united”, in order to “shape a better future for our peoples and especially for the younger generation”.

The Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament wished every success to the Montenegrin parliament, in view of taking over the presidency for the new period 2022-2023.

Danijela Durović, President of the Parliament of Montenegro (Podgorica), who will take over the Presidency of the Organization next year, taking over the reins from Konstantinos Tassoulas, congratulated the Greek Presidency and underlined: “It is a great honor for me to take over the Montenegro’s Presidency of the South East Europe Cooperation Process I really believe that in these difficult times we must be united and show solidarity and solidarity with each other. present “.

Earlier, at the beginning of the 9th Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the South East European Cooperation Process, Parliament Speaker Konstantinos referred to the special value of “joint parliament”. As he pointed out, the value of inter-parliamentary cooperation is emerging in turbulent times such as today, where a fierce war is raging in the heart of Europe.

“The Presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the South East Europe Cooperation Process has identified with us the responsibility to coordinate the goodwill of our 12 partners in this peace and cooperation initiative, in an age of escalating challenges and in an area of “repeatedly tested by centrifugal dynamics and fierce rivalries,” said the Speaker of Parliament in his greeting.

He also stressed that the South East European Cooperation Process, in its 25 years of operation, has proven to be a functional as well as a productive regional cooperation forum. “Our Presidency has adopted as its central motto the strengthening of synergies in Southeastern Europe. Athens believed in and focused on the added value of synergies between international and regional organizations, public and private sector, civil society and all actors in social, economic and political level “said Mr. Tassoulas.

The Speaker of Parliament also stressed that the priority of the Greek Presidency of Athens, in addition to strengthening regional stability and energy security and jointly addressing immediate environmental and pandemic threats, was to promote the Report on the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms. Vulnerable Groups proposing a relevant Resolution.

“Our ambition is the strongest imprint of the Presidency of Athens to concern the consolidation of the common consciousness that our region, this common home, is not only a source of inspiration but also a field of realization for a future of universal security and prosperity,” he said. Τασούλας.

The Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament also had brief bilateral meetings with Mrs. Danijela Durović, Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro (Podgorica), who will assume the Presidency of the Organization for next year, with Mr. Talat Xhaferi, Speaker of the Parliament of Northern Macedonia (Skopje), as well as with his counterpart from Pristina Mr. Glauk Konjufca.

SOURCE: AMPE

Source: Capital

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