Turkey is the key to the resolution of the refugee issue. The European Union, along with Turkey, must find a solution, so that migration flow can be restrained in the Turkish territory. This is something that we have been saying from day one,” stated leader of Potami Stavros Theodorakis, following his meeting with the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz.
It was a friendly meeting that lasted for more than one hour. The leader of Potami delivered the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz the document “Tackling the refugee crisis – Ten Proposals by Potami”, suggesting ways out of the refugee crisis, given that the SYRIZA government has absolutely no plan. Asked by the journalists, the President of the European Parliament said: “Stavros suggested some specific steps, among which a European debate, where all institutions would get involved. This event could take place in Thessaloniki. I am really impressed by the sobriety of Potami. We agreed to maintain our close cooperation”.
This is the statement of Stavros Theodorakis:
We have talked extensively on the major issue of refugees. We agreed on a basic principle that we need to follow the realistic path, in order to establish our humanism. Turkey is the key to the resolution of the refugee issue. The European Union, along with Turkey, must find a solution, so that migration flow can be restrained in the Turkish territory. This is something that we have been saying from day one. I said that in April, when I visited Mytilene. I am very glad that he acknowledged the need for a European debate will all institutions, the European Parliament, in an event that will take place in Thessaloniki, which is the passage towards Europe. We agreed on most points we discussed over. What really matters is that European citizens realize that the refugee issue is not another one, in the long list of several issues. This is not a Turkish issue, it is not a Greek issue. It is an international issue and it needs to be dealt with as such. Solidarity to refugees, safety to refugees and solutions for the local societies, receiving these waves of refugees. We talked about the Greek reality – about how we see things – and, once again, I realized that Martin, apart from being the leader of a major European institution, the European Parliament – he has a very clear vision of reality. He is aware of Greeks' problems and the need for the immediate implementation of a development policy. He is aware of the need for the implementation of a policy that will detach ourselves from the old and ugly past. It takes enterpreneurship, involvement of younger generations, and not a political party state. All that a modern European society, the Greek society, is looking for.
This is what Martin Schulz stated:
To begin with, I am very glad to have met Stavros. I had met him before the elections, for the last time, and I am really happy to meet him again, after the elections. We talked about the situation in Greece, we talked about the refugee crisis and the role that Turkey can play. We talked about the current state of the European Union and the division among Member States, as far as the refugee crisis is concerned. We also talked about international actions. Stavros suggested some specific steps, among which a European debate, where all institutions would get involved. This even could take place in Thessaloniki. I am really impressed by the sobriety of Potami. We agreed to maintain our close cooperation. We also talked about the Greek political life, PASOK, Potami, the situation in the Parliament. Honestly speaking, this was a meeting of friends, in a very amicable atmosphere. At the moment, we need to mobilize ourselves, to our very best, in order to support the country. I believe that the combination of the financial crisis, on one hand, and the refugee crisis, on the other, is the biggest challenge that Greece has dealt with, since the Second World War, since Dictatorship. This may be a major challenge for the country, but it not a Greek issue. It is a European issues with implications on Greece, as well as other European countries. Therefore, a European response is necessary. So, you can count on our support.
Potami was represented by Stavros Theodorakis, Odine Linardatou, Potami International Relations Director and Zoi Apostolopoulou, in charge of Migration Policy.
Photo credit: Theodore Manolopoulos
