PRIME MINISTER’S PRESS OFFICE
Speech of the Prime Minister, K. Karamanlis, to the 8th Orthodox Dialogue
between the Orthodox Church and the EPP-ED Group
Thessaloniki, 21 October 2004
It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to welcome you to Greece again to one more
meeting of the Orthodox Church with the EPP-ED Group. It is a particular pleasure
that we meet at Thessaloniki this year. In the city that constitutes a real crossroad of
cultures. It is a pleasure because we all build together a new relationship of trust and
cooperation of peoples in our wider region.
This important initiative of the Orthodox Church and the EPP, which opens today its
8th event, has acquired and institutional character and it leads through new ways
towards the future we envision. To the establishment of this initiative exceptional
personalities from the world of politics have contributed, as well as worthy
representatives of priesthood from different religions and doctrines. The contribution
of all constitutes a practical response to the demands of today’s reality and the
increased needs of the 21st century. We agree that contemporary challenges are
various and multidimensional and that demands of the future are becoming more and
more imperative. We agree that joining forces, coordinating efforts and proceeding
over events is an imperative need. This is the path we have chosen. And this is the
path we follow. The path of trust, dialogue, understanding, cooperation. The new path
to the future.
It is true that with the accession of 10 new members to the European Union and its
prospective further enlargement towards our neighbourhood, Orthodoxy acquires a
stronger presence in the common European future. This new reality constitutes a
strong motivation for an even bigger effort aiming at rapprochement, mutual
understanding and closer cooperation. And I consider the presence of representatives
from other religious communities in this Dialogue as particularly important.
However, it is not only co-existence in the framework of the European Union that
constitutes a motive for the promotion of these initiatives. It is also our obligation
towards our neighbours. It is the obligation of all of us who enjoy the benefits of our
participation to the European edifice to transfer our knowledge and experience to our
future partners. The historic experience of reconciliation in Western Europe is already
a guide for more and more peoples in the whole of Europe and this turbulent region of
the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean. Peace, stability, security, development
and progress are the basic elements that compose the modern European vision. It is a
common goal, towards which we are already moving.
This vision we want to share with our friends from South-East Europe. This is the
goal that this dialogue serves, a dialogue that started and continues with the ambition
to constitute an instrument for the transmission of this example of reconciliation and
cooperation to all peoples of our region. This is the road to be followed by all those
who envision participating to the New Big Europe. The road of peaceful coexistence
and progress. This is why I would underline that the protagonists of this dialogue, the
EPP and the Orthodox Church, express and promote in practice the modern
progressive concept.
Doubtless, the State (every European State) as well as the Church (every Church)
have each their own special role to play. But the goal is common. The goal concerns
the man and the quality of life. And this goal dictates to all to always maintain the
communication channels open. To act in a spirit of reconciliation. With a view to
cooperation. With a functional balance between secular culture and orthodox
tradition. And all these are of particular importance:
We cannot overlook neither the politicians the role played by religion nor the Church
the responsibility of politics for the governance of peoples. In the EPP we do not
ignore the benefactory force that citizens can draw from their religion, in order for
them to face the hardships and respond to the challenges of times. We cannot
overlook the importance of the benefactory force of Faith for the achievement of big
goals for the progress and prosperity of our societies.
The impact that the principles and values of our big Political Family enjoy among
European citizens makes our responsibility towards all European citizens even bigger.
It makes the need to constantly take over new initiatives for dialogue and
understanding more imperative aiming at the peaceful coexistence and the
harmonious symbiosis, security, prosperity and progress. It is these values, among
which the Christian ones, that unite with strong bonds the political family of the EPP,
the biggest political family in the European Parliament.
It is our profound belief in Democracy, personal freedom, pluralism, social justice.
We respect the right of every citizen to choose the doctrine and religion, which
expresses him. We believe that, regardless of our religious convictions, what matters
most is sharing these basic, universal values, on which Europe is being built today.
We believe that, in a Europe that constantly grows, the rich of cultural and religious
traditions constitutes a valuable asset and an invaluable heritage. An asset for the
achievement of common goals and a heritage for the New Big Europe. Europe of
security, prosperity and progress for all peoples and all its citizens. Europe that
constantly becomes more democratic, more social, more human.
For the achievement of these common goals, activating civil society is very important.
And it is even more important activating young people. At the same time, the
participation of religious communities is particularly important. Because it contributes
to bringing up fundamental principles and values and because it covers, at the same
time, significant needs of a new era, in which individualism and uncontrollable
competition are often dominant. An era that demands for solidarity, altruism and
social offer.
This is the framework, in which we have to seek progress and prosperity. Not as
brutal pursue of interests. Not with apathy to pain and misery around us. Not with the
price of reduction of principles and values. Personal progress must be accompanied
by our response to obligations towards society and, especially, towards those that are
more in need. Prosperity must be secured for all.
This precise goal dictates to all of us who enjoy the benefits of our participation to the
European Union not to stay away from the problems of our neighbours. It demands
for the transfer to them too of the example of reconciliation and peaceful coexistence
among cultures and religions. It demands for seeking together effective ways to
establish peace and stability strongly, to achieve wide cooperation, to secure more
prosperity. In this endeavour, we want the contribution of the spiritual and religious
leadership of our societies. We want to build all together the New Big Europe. With
understanding and reconciliation. With trust and cooperation.
Some months ago, we achieved the biggest enlargement of the European Union. We
have already made big steps and we are determined to make even more. We believe
that with the participation and cooperation of our neighbours from South East Europe
we can achieve even more.
In a few days, we sign in Rome the Draft Treaty for the first Constitution of the
European Union. As we all know, in this draft (article 1-51.3) the special identity and
the contribution of churches is being recognised and the EU is called upon to maintain
dialogue with them open, transparent and regular. It is of particular importance the
fact that the Preamble of this Constitutional Treaty begins with reference to the
cultural, religious and humanistic heritage of Europe, from which have developed
universal values, the rights of man, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law.
This heritage constitutes our identity. This heritage is the guide in our course to the
future. However, this heritage entails a big responsibility: to preserve and transfer
these goods. With the certainty that, by serving in practice the universal values, by
serving principles and ideals, we can secure a better future for all.
Thank you