A reception was held recently to introduce the two new EU Members of Parliament representing Iraklion, Spyros Danellis and Yiorgos Stavrakakis.

Mr. Danellis said that "this event is only the beginning, as we wish to institute a continuous communication with the people, to exchange views and information with regard to the issues and the decisions taken in the European Parliament." He reported that since late last year, the European Parliament acquired a decisively important role due to the Lisbon Treaty.

"The role of the EuroMP is neither decorative nor easy, he explained."We, the eight PASOK EuroMPs, do all we can so that our presence is not just visible but strong." 

In finishing, Mr. Danellis stressed the need for the Greek people to get rid of the "we-are-great-but-oh-so-poor" syndrome as well as the sense that "everyone owes us something and that we are permanently victims of jealousy, conspiracies and that everyone talks bad about us."   

Mr. Stavrakakis spoke about the necessity of the European Parliament to become "a real entity in our country."

He stressed that with a European Parliament with 736 members and 22 languages, with different perceptions and different culture, "we must be well prepared with solid arguments. There is a strong need of 'real diplomacy'."

Mr. Danellis makes his point while Mr. Stavrakakis looks on.

He pointed out that the current European Parliament finds itself with three big challenges: the economic crisis, the climatic changes and the problem of immigrants.

"Very few Greeks know what European Parliament means," he said. "They believe that all we do is fly from airport to airport. It is not so. From our hands pass 99 per cent of the issues concerning national parliaments.  You can be effective if you have method and a programme."