Athens, 6 November 2023

Opening of 35th Regional Assembly Europe of Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie

"The war in Ukraine is testing democratic resilience together with participatory processes, which highlights the importance of cooperation between democratic institutions, as enshrined in the current Plenary Session of the Regional Assembly Europe of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie".

This was emphasised by the President of the Hellenic Parliament Constantine Tassoulas, declaring the opening of the 35th Plenary Session, which is hosted by the Hellenic Parliament, on November 6-7.

The Plenary’s central theme is "The war at the heart of Europe: towards the creation of a new world order".

In his opening address, the President of the Hellenic Parliament also highlighted Greece’s view of the International Organisation of the Francophonie, -which it joined in 2006-, as a platform of multilateralism and a space of shared values and solidarity mainly aiming at the preservation and further promotion of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, as well as the consolidation of peace and security.

"The International Organisation of the Francophonie", emphasised Mr Constantine Tassoulas, "seeks to promote – the United Nations being its main point of reference - partnerships and synergies in a world increasingly faced with great challenges, as nowadays, with the new crisis in the Middle East evolving into a competition of pain, as recently described”.

Mr Tasoulas expressed Greece's opposition to any violation of International Law. He moreover emphasised that Greece supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders, and denounces the illegal annexation of areas of Ukraine that Russia is trying to enforce by armed force.

Taking the floor in turn, Mr Vasilios Ypsilantis, a member of the Greek delegation and the meeting’s Chair, noted that war is a crash-test for Europe, moreover exposing democracies to the threats of totalitarianism and revisionism. He condemned the war in Ukraine and the Hamas terrorist actions and identified cooperation, upholding the values of justice, equality and respect for human rights as the sole viable means for a resolution. He also expressed Greece's commitment to contribute to ceasefire and the consolidation of peace in the region.

In his address, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic George Gerapetritis, stated that the two grave regional conflicts Europe is currently faced with remind us that "certainties that guided our path until the present day, can no longer be taken for granted". He condemned both Russia's attack on Ukraine and Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel, informing participants that, this morning, Greece sent an aircraft with humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. He also stressed Greece’s commitment to contribute to the efforts of the International Organisation of the Francophonie to support stability and democracy under the current volatile circumstances.

The Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly’s Secretary-General Bruno Fuchs, highlighted the main scope of the Assembly’s work as linked to the shared values of democracy and universalism, now threatened by nationalism and fundamentalism. He also underlined the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and the need for the Francophonie institution to meet citizens’ expectations, especially the new generation’s .

APF Europe’s Chargé de mission Jean-Charles Luperto, drew attention to recent events as signaling the vulnerability of stability and peace, moreover adding that aggression calls us to take action. He noted the need for Europe to join forces and cooperate with other democratic countries around the world to defend democracy and liberalism.

Work continued with the 1st thematic section "Impact of the war in Ukraine on Europe: systemic crisis, migration crisis, energy and economic crisis".

Speaking on this subject, the Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum Dimitrios Kairidis, stressed that due to the war more than 5 million Ukrainians found shelter, mostly in the bordering countries, in Germany and Poland, but also in the rest of Europe, noting their receiving full protection, in line with the provisions of international treaties. He also informed participants that the Greek government is elaborating upon an enhanced protection regime, including provisions to extend the validity period of the temporary protection status for the displaced persons from Ukraine in our country. In closing, and referring to the Palestinian issue, he stated that the displacement of Palestinians once again is certainly not a solution.

The President of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, spoke on the matter via a video message.

The meeting is attended by 24 delegations from APF national and local parliaments .

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