Whoever applies for asylum needs protection. Refugees can and have the capacity to offer substantially to society. Refugees are entitled to the same respect and help we offer to our fellow citizens. And finally, and most important, refugees have problems, they are not the problem. Our country is very much linked with the respect of human rights.
Human rights define at the same time, values, objectives and the limits.
They are the limits, the borders of our modern civilisation. They are the objectives of a global multicultural society, based on diversity. A democratic and peaceful society based on pluralism, tolerance and breadth of views. Greece has supported, in the past human rights and universal values and will continue to do so with all means at its disposal. As I struggle now and will continue to do so for the respect of the rights of all minorities, so will I do the same for refugee rights.