Pellegrini: Europe Must Be Safe, Competitive and Capable of Delivering Results

Brdo pri Kranju, 16 October (TASR-correspondent) - We all want a competitive and secure Europe capable of delivering tangible results, said President Peter Pellegrini at the beginning of the official programme of the Arraiolos Group summit of presidents in Slovenia on Friday, adding that Europe shouldn't merely react to events but must be prepared to take action. According to Pellegrini, Europe's defence capabilities need to be strengthened, and he also recalled that the European Union was founded as a peace project. "Diplomacy and dialogue must remain the main pillars and tools of our foreign policy," he stressed. The president also highlighted the need to maintain the competitiveness of the European economy. He said it was important to build a modern, green Europe while ensuring that European policies don't undermine industry, jobs and competitiveness. The Slovak president called on European leaders to pay greater attention to the concerns of citizens alongside international issues. Otherwise, he warned, there's a risk of rising tension and frustration in society, as well as a loss of public support for the European project. "I hope that we'll send the citizens of the European Union a clear message that we'll do our utmost to ensure that Europe remains a significant and influential player on the international political stage," he added. Pellegrini left for Slovenia on Thursday (15 October) to attend the summit. Its main theme, 'The European Union in an Era of Multiple Crises: Between Retreat and Perseverance', will cover questions of peace, security and prosperity in Europe, citizens' trust in the EU and EU institutions and its role on the international stage. The leaders will also discuss the importance of multilateralism and the need for reforms of international institutions. In addition to the Slovak president, the presidents of Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Hungary, Malta, Germany, Portugal, Austria and Italy have also accepted an invitation from Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar. The Arraiolos Group is an informal political forum for the presidents of EU-member states with parliamentary and semi-presidential systems. Their annual meetings provide an opportunity to exchange experiences, views and visions, discuss the future of the European Union and address the challenges facing the international community. ko/df