By Idyli Tsakiri
ATHENS (AA) – The EU needs a “new impulse” to address the common challenges its members are facing, as well as uphold its values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law, tolerance and solidarity, said a declaration of seven country leaders Friday at the first Mediterranean EU countries’ summit.
The heads of state of Greece, Italy, Malta, France, Portugal, and Greek Cyprus and the State Secretary for European Affairs of Spain met in Athens at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, aiming to enhance cooperation ahead of next week’s EU leaders’ summit in Bratislava.
The leaders agreed on topics that they will raise during next Friday’s summit in the Slovakian capital, which include ensuring Europe’s internal and external security, reinforcing cooperation in the Mediterranean and with African countries, fostering growth and investment in Europe, strengthening programs for youth, and addressing the challenge of migration, the declaration states.
At a joint closing press conference, Tsipras said, “Europe is at a critical crossroads, and needs to inspire its people again”.
“This cannot be done with just wishful thinking, we need to take effective measures to improve the lives of European citizens and of course to strengthen the role of Europe, its global and regional role,” he added.
At the same press conference, French President Francois Hollande stressed the importance of coherent action. “We need a development plan, and it is important to send a message of coherence during times of Brexit and the rise of populism in Europe,” he said.
Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told reporters, “Social Europe has been forgotten for a long time and we say that we will support the evolution of the union in order to return to this idea.”
The second EUMed summit is set to take place in Portugal.
