“Participating in the shaping of our common European future is not only a privilege, but also a duty for all of us” emphasized the President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou welcoming the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola to the Presidential Palace.

Mrs. Sakellaropoulou mentioned that the nomination of our representatives in the upcoming European elections is the biggest multinational exercise of Democracy, as Mrs. Metsola has aptly characterized it and observed that “Europe has achieved a lot on a political, social, economic level. But it also has to face a series of challenges, from the climate and energy crisis, immigration, Russian aggression, which require coordinated action from all of us. And that is why it is more necessary than ever to develop the strategic autonomy of the European Union”.

He also argued that “Alexei Navalny’s assassination has tragically reminded us that the struggle for democracy and peace often requires personal and collective sacrifices. Support to Ukraine will be constant from us as long as necessary and we highly appreciate your efforts at this level.”

He also underlined that “we should be coordinated and decisive against the phenomena of extreme rhetoric and populism that are developing and that attempt to question the European values ​​of the rule of law, the human rights of democracy”.

Finally, he argued that “this is why it is important for all of us to try to convince European citizens, especially young people, of the importance of defending these values ​​and the European project as a whole” and congratulated her on her initiative to address to as many European citizens as possible during this period.

For her part, Roberta Metsola, after thanking the President of the Republic for the warm welcome, expressed her joy, being in Athens as the President of the European Parliament, as part of her visits, from country to country, with the aim of encouraging citizens to participate in the June 2024 elections, which will elect the new members of the European Parliament. As he characteristically stated “in June, 720 members will be elected, Greece will send 21 members, and of course, they should be elected by the Greek citizens”.

She also noted that during her visits, she tries to explain “what the European Union is, what are its successes, what could have been done better during this time, and of course, why everyone should now participate in the vote, since we have before us serious decisions regarding climate change, immigration, democracy, farmers’ issues, as well as many serious political decisions to be made in the next five years.”

Regarding Ukraine, he argued that “after the Russian invasion, it has become absolutely clear that Ukraine belongs to the European family. Now, in fact, after the terrible murder of Alexei Navalny, this issue dominates the European Parliament. Putin has now shown that at any moment he is ready to destroy all those who oppose him. On this subject, it will be discussed in the European Parliament and I will have contacts with the various committees, political groups, as well as government officials”.

Referring to her visit to Greece, she noted that she is trying to participate in the discussion with young people mainly, to explain and ask them “what is the European Union for them”, and to urge them to participate in the European elections, while she also expressed the her joy, for the fact that seventeen-year-olds can already vote in Greece.

Concluding, he said that he had “a very good discussion with the Prime Minister” and congratulated Greece on the changes and reforms that have been made, mainly regarding marriage equality, noting that it is a matter that is considered very important for the European Parliament.