“The need to maintain the momentum created for the European perspective of the region by Prespa Agreement“, underlined the former prime minister and president of SYRIZA, Alexis Tsipras during his award ceremony, with the Peace Prize of the Observatory of International Organizations and Globalization, while referring to the international position of our country he noted that “it is more necessary than ever for Greece to return to a foreign policy that consolidates its position as the main pillar of peace and stability in the region, rather than claiming the dangerous role of the West’s outposts”.

Referring to the Prespa Agreement on the occasion of which he was awarded, he said:The respect of the Agreement by its new political and state leadership. We must not let the Balkans become an uncontrolled arena of power competition. We must not let nationalism fester in the region even more. An Agreement that is a model of dispute resolution for the Western Balkans, because it proved that there is a way for mutually acceptable solutions that defend national interests and at the same time promote peace.»

Referring to Greek-Turkish, he underlined the necessary determination “in the defense of our sovereignty and sovereign rights against Turkish challenges. With red lines both on the field and at the negotiating table. It means leveraging the EU and our alliances. But it also means a clear and bold strategy to appeal to The Hague for a continental shelf and EEZ.”

Mr. Tsipras repeated his condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but criticized the policy of the Greek government: “Each country has the right to express this solidarity in the way it chooses. Greece, considering its role in the wider region, cannot afford to express this support by sending heavy weaponry from its border to the active front of Ukraine. And I consider it a shame for Europe, the European democratic forces to give away the struggle for peace and stability to Trump, Orban and the adventurism of the Far Right».

But he also referred to the war in the Middle East: “As for the Middle East, we must say it clearly, the fight against terrorism cannot be a pretext or a blank check for the killing of thousands of civilians – mainly children – and for an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. The EU must actively participate in the ceasefire talks. Support the imposition of sanctions on Israel if operations in Palestine and Lebanon are not ended. And, finally, the European Council must put on the table a road map for the coordinated recognition of a Palestinian State by its member states».

He referred to the Cypriot:In the same way, we must continue to fight for a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of UN decisions. We must actively support the restart of the talks from the point where they were interrupted in Crans-Montana, in 2017. And the message must be clear that the unfavorable developments in Cyprus will negatively affect not only Greek-Turkish but also Euro-Turkish relations, while progress in the Cyprus issue he will upgrade them».

Reference to internal developments

Mr. Tsipras made extensive reference to internal political matters, indirectly but clearly photographing persons who are the protagonists of the developments and in his own area.

In particular, he said:So yes!, there are people who believe in something above and beyond themselves. Who fight for what they believe in even after the cameras and cellphones are turned off. Because there are thousands of young men and women, whom all of us meet every day, who experience the world of inequalities, insecurity and multiple crises every day. And through digital technologies, social media, Artificial Intelligence they seek information, solidarity, communication, economic progress».

He then underlined: “But they refuse—I stress, refuse—to follow the dominant narrative, which calls for them to choose their principles and values ​​by scrolling. Alternating them according to the day and the fashion. As they refuse to trust any preacher who will attempt to cheaply and thunderously exploit their anger, plunging the public debate deeper into toxicity and muck. They are looking for vision, but also realism, seriousness, persistence, honesty, efficiency. Substance and not image. This is the generation we have a duty to address. Not with cheap impressions and communication fireworks. Not even with hostility and excommunication. Nor, of course, with ideological buzzwords and moral elitism. But with sincerity, vision and actions».

The event was attended by 15 MPs, Sokratis Famellos, Christos Giannoulis, Miltos Zambaras, Rena Dourou, Olga Gerovasilis, George Tsapanidou, Simeon Kedikoglou, Kyriaki Malama, Dionysis Kalamatianos, Nikos Pappas, Haris Mamoulakis, Theofilos Xanthopoulos, Evggela Apostolakis, George Carameros.

Among them, the Kasselakis group includes Kyriaki Malama and Evangelos Apostolakis, who, however, had served as a minister in his government. The event was attended by the secretary of the party, Rania Svigou, the representative of Pausanias Papageorgiou, as well as George Vassiliadis, Grigoris Theodorakis, Marilisa Xenogiannakopoulou, Giannis Balafas, Thanasis Theocharopoulos, Giannis Ragousis, Giannis Mantzouranis, Jeni Arsenis, Kostas Zachariadis, Zacharoula Tsirigoti, Alekos Flambouraris. Nikos Bistis and Maria Giannakaki attended from the New Left. The present was given by Stefanos Tzoumakas and George Lianis.