German chancellor: We are people of Europe, our voice must resound throughout Europe, from Lisbon to Tbilisi, beyond
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As Russia seeks to redraw the boundaries between freedom and autocracy, “we are the people of Europe”, our voice must resound throughout Europe, from the Mediterranean to the North Sea, from Lisbon to Tbilisi and beyond, the German chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday at the Party of European Socialists congress in Berlin, in which the Georgian delegation is participating.
Together, with the Party of European Socialists, we shall lay the foundation for a Europe of freedom, security and democracy”, Scholz said, noting this would protect the European values “both internally and externally” and the future had to be “shaped boldly".
Together @PES_PSE, we shall lay the foundations for a #Europe of freedom, security and democracy. As Russia seeks to redraw the borders between freedom and autocracy, "We are the people of Europe!" – the appeal of the protesters in 1989 – must resound throughout Europe.
— Olaf Scholz (@OlafScholz) October 15, 2022
The German chancellor said he was “glad” that in June the European Council “unanimously” agreed to grant the candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova and “in the future” to Georgia and the Western Balkan countries as part of “free and democratic” Europe.
We gave a promise to the candidate countries of the Western Balkans almost 20 years ago and these words must now be followed by action. This is what the Socialist Party of Europe stands for and it is good for us if we want to uphold values in the world of 10 billion people in the future. With 27, 30 or 36 states, with more than 500 million citizens, the EU will be able to bear even more strongly in the world”, Scholz noted in his address.
The chancellor stressed he was “personally” committed to the enlargement of the EU, as it would be beneficial for all and noted that the candidate countries, which would meet the criteria, would be supported.
The EU will be able to accept new members only if it maintains the impetus of European expansion, laying the foundations for a wider EU”, the German official added.