Multicultural Event 2003

On behalf of the Socialist Group of the European Parliament, I welcome you and thank all of you who honor me with your presence at tonight’s multicultural celebration, which I am organizing for the fifth consecutive year. The purpose of this event is to convey to our modern multicultural society a message of peaceful coexistence among people, dialogue between cultures, and respect for any differences—political, religious, or cultural.

This event this year, in addition to being multicultural, also has an anti-war character, as it takes place under the shadow of the impending war against Iraq. So let us send today a strong message against the planned war, a message of dialogue and peaceful resolution of the conflict. Let us present, in contrast to the culture of violence and militarism, a different model, a different culture that will promote the creative coexistence of people and reject military violence as a means of resolving differences. This is exactly the model promoted by the Greek Presidency, which has gained the trust and admiration of our European partners and beyond.

Due to the circumstances, the presence at tonight’s event of a woman who has made it her life’s mission to promote peace, cooperation among nations, and women’s rights—Margarita Papandreou—holds particular significance.

I would also like to thank the Director of the International Organization for Migration, Mr. Peter Bethelfalvy, for his presence here, with whom I share common political interests, concerns about the course and evolution of immigration policy in the European Union, as well as plans and actions to combat human trafficking. Today, however, we also have to announce a very pleasant development to our friends, the migrants and refugees. After long consultations, the Directive on Family Reunification was approved the day before yesterday in Brussels, at the last Justice and Home Affairs Council. This marks another great success of the Greek Presidency, which Mr. Bethelfalvy will speak about.

Dear friends,

Respect for human rights, without any distinction based on gender, race, national or social origin, religion, or sexual orientation, is an indispensable condition for the peaceful coexistence of people, for economic and social progress, and development.

Let us shout loudly, once again, so that Washington can hear us. NO to the absurdity of this war.

I invite you to enjoy tonight’s multicultural evening. Carnival is also here.