“The new order of things, which is now being created, is the old order of things”. This was emphasized by the New Democracy MEP, Dimitris Tsiodrasspeaking today in the Delphi forum. And explained: “In the last 80 years, after the end of World War II, Epirus has lived through peace and cooperation.

In a world -based rules (although military -political blocks and power logic coexisted), in international organizations and international treaties: the UN, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization. All this today is negated – it seems to be returning to what we lived in the previous centuries: the spheres of influence and the law of power. ”

Mr Tsiodras emphasized that the European Union is in favor of an international order based on rules and the validity of the law, but in the given international environment it is obliged to prepare for any possibility: “We urgently need a common defense policy and defensive integration – and at the level of the defense industry. We don’t want war – in any way! We want a deterrent power in Europe, capable of functioning effectively if anyone wants to consider the independence and borders of the Member States of our Union. ”

Speaking about duties and the threatened generalized trade war, Mr. Tsiodras mistakenly characterized the perception “if I put walls in imports, domestic production will increase”. And referred to the basic law of the market:

“Why does a consumer buy a product coming from a foreign country? Either because there is no corresponding native, or because it is better, or is cheaper, or it is even better and cheaper. This is true for all consumers, all over the world ». He stressed that people are trading from the beginning of the world and that everyone will be lost from the duty war: “There will be consequences for consumers who will pay some more expensive products. Will we have volatility in the world environment and investment problem – how will anyone invest in Europe, America or Asia, when they don’t know what the rules will be tomorrow? All this can only be damaged by both America and the rest of the world. “

Referring to Europe’s position in this extremely difficult times, Mr Tsiodras insisted on the huge 450 million – – -off market weapon with a very high income of the Union. He expressed the hope that “by going to the negotiation phase, the contradictions will be mitigated.” In any case, however, he insisted on the need for the European Union competitive on the world chessboard, with the products and services it produces, especially in the cutting -edge areas, where we are decisively lagging behind: “In the 50 largest technology companies, only four are European, most are American” – He said. And he showed the way the Draghi exhibition defines, as a necessary choice, for Europe to pursue this goal.

Speaking about political correlations and electoral dynamics within the Union, Mr. Tsiodras said that citizens “They feel insecure about their future, not only in terms of defense, but also in the economic and social field.” He insisted on the need to “give the answers, the democratic forces”, so that there is no ground for the voting of the extremes. And he said optimistic about the future: “Europe has always been through great challenges. The principle of the European Union took place after World War II, with what the peoples of our continent had suffered and while the Soviet Union was opposite. So today, all this pressure exerted on the European Union is an opportunity to move forward faster towards the aim of integration policy. We are discussing partnerships, but this political goal is missing from the frame. And I think it should get in! ”