Today, President of Latvia Egils Levits took part in the international symposium ‘Idea of Europe’ in Kaunas. In his speech, President Levits focused on three core elements that make up Europe and the idea of Europe – political system, i.e., constitutional democracy, with its diverse values and culture that have evolved over more than two thousand years, and the subjective geography which has frequently been modified by political processes that shaped European history.
‘Russian war against Ukraine is changing Europe’s subjective geography as we speak. Europe has once again become a beacon of hope, an idea of hope and membership as a value,’ Egils Levits pointed out.
According to President Levits, smaller countries have now come to the forefront of global politics and subjective geography. ‘Europe’s political centre of gravity has shifted East. Because of Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is actively driven by Bucharest 9 (B9) or NATO Eastern Flank countries,’ he said. B9 countries are leading the way by offering precise assessment and ad-hoc crisis solutions, President Levits added. ‘We have all seen European countries consolidate around the vision proposed by us,’ President of Latvia stressed.
During the symposium, President Levits also spoke about the idea of Europe as an ever-expanding and growing notion, while Europe continues to grow its global influence. ‘Europe is not immune to crises but the idea of Europe has never faltered,’ Egils Levits continued.
President of Latvia Egils Levits thanked organisers for invitation to take part in the international symposium ‘Idea of Europe’ in scope of Kaunas 2022 European Capital of Culture Year and invited everyone to visit Liepāja, which will become European Capital of Culture in 2027. President also shared an interesting common fact about Kaunas and Liepāja – both cities have temporarily been capitals at certain periods due to difficult history.
