G. Patoulis: “Alongside Europe, we aim at attaining the objective of extroversion and, therefore, we are shaping a solid strategy on major issues such as health, climate crisis, energy and social cohesion.”
Important issues of concern to the Member States of the European Union and the European Local Government were at the heart of today’s meeting in Strasbourg between the Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions and Regional Governor of Attica, Mr G. Patoulis and the Greek Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr M. Schinas.
Particular reference was made to the issue of the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate and the energy crisis, as well as the need to create a single framework for managing issues of concern for societies and citizens at local, European and international level.
One common finding was that in times of crisis, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the EU emerges stronger and more shielded. An illustrative example is the single EU Vaccines Strategy as well as the establishment of an integrated plan to limit the impact of Covid-19. Thereupon, Mr Patoulis stressed the need for a Single Strategic Plan on issues related to health prevention, energy and climate crisis.
Mr Schinas referred to the importance of establishing uniform rules as well as the need to exploit the full potential of technology to better use scientific conclusions in health and to improve the quality of life of citizens. Thereupon, Mr Schinas highlighted the key role of self-government in the management of issues of concern within the EU. The discussion reconfirmed the importance of the Extraordinary European Summit to be held on Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 May 2022 in Brussels, to discuss the Ukraine war, European defence and energy issue.
The Regional Governor of Attica, for his part, pointed out that self-government has repeatedly assisted in effectively addressing issues pertaining to the maintenance of social cohesion, health, prevention and development.
In his remarks, Mr Patoulis stressed the following:
“It was my pleasure today to meet and have a conversation with Mr Schinas, an important Greek, who, with his European experience and knowledge, supports Greece and our Attica in Europe. We share the idea that the EU institutions are our greatest ally in enhancing extroversion and in shaping a solid strategy on major issues such as health, climate crisis, energy, prevention and social cohesion. As evidenced by the EU response to crises, whenever there is consistency between its’ Member States and its’ Institutions, the EU emerges stronger and more efficient in dealing with difficulties and therefore produces tangible effects on the lives and living standards of all European citizens. Local Self-Government, Central Administration and European Institutions, we work closely together for the benefit of our citizens and for development. We renounce policies of stagnation and inactivity, and we look forward to shaping a better future for our children and for European citizens.