“Hate has no place in Europe” underlined at the closing of the conference on human rights, in the context of EuroPride 2024, in Thessaloniki, the vice-president of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, highlighting the need and the will of the European institutions for the respect of human rights, the rule of law, European values ​​and the European way of life.

The vice-president of the Commission underlined that following the crises of recent years, Europe emerged more resilient, despite the crises it was called upon to face. At the same time, the European Way of Life portfolio proved almost “prophetic” as it helped to maintain Europe’s human-centric orientation.

“At the center of our policies must be and is the human being,” said the vice-president of the Commission.

Mr. Schinas emphasized that the European Union has set as its goal the realization of the Union of Equality and the promotion of human rights, including LGBTI rights, both inside and outside the EU. He underlined that important steps have been taken progress, both at European and national level, taking as an example the law for equality in civil marriage in Greece.

“Nevertheless, challenges remain. That’s why, although the acceptance of diversity, democracy and extroversion are a constituent element of the European DNA, all Europeans should continue to promote European principles and values,” emphasized Mr. Schoinas.

The vice-president of the Commission closed his greeting, emphasizing that, especially in the current geopolitical context, it is particularly important to have a continuous emphasis on people, European values ​​and the European way of life.