Press Office

From the interventions by the participating MPs it became evident that there is a need to strengthen cooperation between parliaments, in order to draw up an effective strategy to address the big common challenges and problems in the Mediterranean.

In particular, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias stated that this region is characterised by very fragile conditions, as there are forces of prosperity but also destabilisation at work. It should be the common goal of the countries of the South and of EU member states to show active solidarity to each other, to support political processes in conflict zones such as Libya and Afghanistan and to isolate practices that have no place in the 21^st century and in the holistic approach to the Mediterranean.

The Vice-President of the European Commission for promoting our European way of life Margaritis Schinas argued that the participation of national MPs is necessary in the negotiation on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. He appeared very optimistic regarding the course of the negotiations, since, as he claimed, there have never been more favourable political conditions in the EU to reach a balanced deal.

Mr. Gioulekas who chaired the meeting proposed the deepening of this informal cooperation of the Parliaments of the EU South through ad hoc meetings, in the framework of strengthening parliamentary diplomacy. Finally, it was proposed to adopt joint statements after the meetings.