Greece celebrates 40th anniversary of accession to European Communities

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, European Council President Charles Michel, and European Parliament President David Sassoli gathered at Zappeion Hall in Athens today to honour Greece's accession to the family of European nations now known as the EU.

In his address marking the occasion, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined the history of Greece's relations with the EU and the importance of membership in the country's history.

It was the founder of Mr. Mitsotakis's New Democracy Party, the late Constantine Karamanlis, who shepherded Greece into the European Community with the support of France and Germany.

"Since 1 January. 1981, Greece has reclaimed its place in Europe with which it has historical and cultural ties, common interests and objectives. With these words, [then PM] Constantine Karamanlis welcomed 40 years ago Greece's accession to what was then the European Communities as their 10th member," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.

"That decision may have not met the strict, technocratic criteria [for membership] yet it addressed an historical necessity. That is why gradually the entire political spectrum with very few exceptions backed the linkage with Europe. Today that is a non-negotiable parameter of public life with political significance, national content, and long-term effect."

"In short, I do not think there is an area of public life that has not in some way benefited from Europe's contribution. Economically, European funding left Greece with invaluable infrastructure. It has for decades bolstered agricultural production and encouraged an exports-oriented approach. The lifting of tariffs necessarily oriented Greek production, services, and tourism towards competitive innovation. Commerce, services, and...