Greek PM – Country will vigilantly protect its borders, which are also Europe’s frontiers

Greece will vigilantly protect its borders, which are also Europe’s borders, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated on Wednesday, speaking during a keynote address at the Constantine G. Karamanlis Foundation, entitled “Greece’s Path to a Unified Europe”.

Turning to the main theme of the event, namely, Greece in a Unified Europe as per the vision and determination of late statesman Constantine Karamanlis, Mitsotakis said the latter had “persistent insight” to pursue Greece’s membership into the European family, as far back as 1961.

Greece’s application for membership in June 1975 was met in a lukewarm fashion and even with opposition by some member-states, although France and its president, Valery Giscard d’ Estaing, were allies from the beginning, he added.

“Greece’s participation in European events was a central political choice for the entire center-right, with Constantine Karamanlis leading,” Mitsotakis added, saying this decision was dramatically tested in the subsequent 40 years.

“The deepening of democracy and the country’s progress are now aligned with Europe,” he underlined.