Samaras from Brussels against extremists and populists

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras sent a clear message from Brussels against extremism and populism in Greece.

Speaking at an event of the Konstantinos Karamanlis Foundation in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, on "The need of Europe today," Samaras said: "We will not allow the appearance of extremists and populists. We love our country too much to let such phenomena occur."

The PM commented on the many deaths in the two recent wrecks with illegal immigrants in Lampedusa, saying that "the incidents of Lampedusa are the daily tragedies we face in Greece for years now. We need more protection in our borders. We need more of Europe, with solidarity and responsibility."

Samaras added that "we must remember three things that unite us: the historical past the Christian heritage and our competitiveness. We need solidarity and responsibility. This is what is happening in Greece today: on one hand the incredible sacrifices and on the other the solidarity of our partners, to overcome the crisis."

The event panel included the European Parliament President Martin Schulz, the Polish Commissioner, responsible for the European Budget, Janusz Lewandowski, the Greek Commissioner for Maritime Affairs, Maria Damanaki, MEP and chairman of the Foundation Adenauer, Dr Hans-Gert Pöttering, who has served as president of European Council, the Konstantinos Karamanlis foundation president and former Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis and Achilleas Karamanlis.

Some of the speakers said:

Petros Molyviatis: Karamanlis was convinced that the objectives can be achieved only through a united, economically and politically, Europe.

Hans-Gert Pöttering: In Europe we are like a family. We must be united, we must defend each other.

Martin Schulz: The situation in the EU and Greece is very difficult. There are huge problems. I believe that, sooner or later, there will be a solution to the crisis. An alternative to solve the problem is to destroy Europe. Many say, "this is it, finish the EU, destroy the common currency." The solution in my view is not the destruction of the common currency. Karamanlis took over after a dictatorship. Such phenomena will come faster than we think if you do not try to prevent them.