The President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine An. Tassoulas participated in a roundtable discussion on the topic “Reinforcing democratic resilience and addressing hybrid threats” at the 8th Summit of the European Political Community.
In his intervention, Mr. Tassoulas highlighted the complex challenges of modern democracies, such as external information manipulation, cyberattacks and the undermining of electoral processes. He emphasized that countering hybrid threats requires strong democratic institutions, transparency in public life, as well as independent media.
Equally important, as Mr. Tassoulas noted, is the improvement of education, the cultivation of citizens’ critical thinking, as well as the protection of electoral processes from external interference. The President of the Hellenic Republic also highlighted the importance of international cooperation, emphasizing the role the European Union is called upon to play in this field.
Finally, Mr. Tassoulas noted that the protection of democracy should always go hand in hand with respect for fundamental freedoms and democratic legitimacy.
Earlier, the President of the Hellenic Republic took part in a High-Level Event, at the initiative of Romanian President Nicuşor Dan, on the topic “The Impact of the Vertical Corridor on Regional Energy Security.”
Mr. Tassoulas highlighted the political and strategic importance of the project, emphasizing that the Vertical Corridor is not merely a natural gas transmission infrastructure, but an ambitious plan for the interconnection and integration of Southeast and Eastern Europe. The President of the Hellenic Republic stressed the crucial role of Greek infrastructure, such as the LNG terminals in Revythousa and Alexandroupoli, for Europe’s energy security and reassured that Greece will continue to work resolutely toward the implementation of this major project.
On the margins of the Summit of the European Political Community, the President of the Hellenic Republic also participated in the meeting of the European Cities Against Drugs (ECAD), organized at the initiative of France and Italy and attended by 38 European countries, the European Commission and the Council of Europe.
Bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Bulgaria
Finally, Mr. Tassoulas had a bilateral meeting with Iliana Iotova, President of the Republic of Bulgaria. Both leaders agreed on the excellent level of bilateral relations, while Mr. Tassoulas referred to the importance of Greek-Bulgarian cooperation in critical areas, such as interconnectivity, water management and Europe’s energy security through the implementation of the Vertical Corridor.
For her part, Ms. Iotava thanked Greece for its support during Bulgaria’s accession process to the eurozone, as well as for the recent strengthening of Bulgaria’s air defense. Finally, the two leaders agreed on the need for the immediate restoration of peace and stability in regions affected by ongoing armed conflicts, such as Ukraine and the Middle East.
