Delphi and Europe’s Geopolitical Awakening

The oracular sanctuary of Delphi has been the Navel of the Earth, the “omphalos” of the ancient world for over 1000 years. It was the place where Pythia, the high priestess, uttered the divine advice of God Apollo to mortals who travelled from across the world to seek a prophecy. Apart from Greeks, the Oracle was visited also by foreign leaders and dignitaries who were worried on important state affairs.

Delphi could be characterized as a kind of "information hub", providing a unique opportunity to gather information on a wide range of topics, areas and events and its role revives today, through the innovative work and initiatives of Delphi Economic Forum. An organization with the aim to address emerging challenges and to promote sustainable and socially responsible growth policies and creative ideas for Europe, the wider Eastern Mediterranean and Greece. During its 7 -year presence, the Forum has managed to serve as an international “stage”, where all the current geopolitical and economic arguments are being discussed, achieving convergence on issues concerning the European continent, the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Balkans, in times that the geopolitical environment is becoming increasingly complex and volatile.

It is an undeniable fact that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been the “9/11” wake- up call, a geopolitical awakening and a watershed moment for European security. European leaders have started to realize that more defense spending and capabilities are needed to pursue Europe’s strategic autonomy, to help our continent to become stronger and safer. This the moment for Europe to align its geopolitical power with its economic potential, as the consensus which is being formed nowadays, can help European policy makers to move faster, more substantially and much more efficiently in promoting Europe’s strategic autonomy.

During the last years, Europe has proved not only its resilience and coherence, but also its ability to adapt. From the successful management of the pandemic COVID- 19, to the adoption of the Recovery and Resilience Fund and the implementation of common defense decisions, Europe has managed to break various taboos of the past and proved that it can deal with the energy, food and humanitarian crises in the same vein. Ukraine crisis has started consolidating Europe’s belief in itself and its ideals and increased its willingness to fight for them.

Recognizing that European problems require strong European interventions, the energy crisis put the bar of European policy and institutional ambition even higher. "United in diversity", which has been the official motto of the European Union since 2000, signifies how Europeans have come together, in the form of the EU, to work for peace and prosperity. Thus, the ongoing surge in energy prices implies a strong mandate to find the golden mean between the 27 different particularities and adopt an effective and immediate common European response.

The need for “more’ Europe, for a more united Europe has been also reflected on the conclusions of the Conference for the Future of Europe. On their proposals, European citizens and the civil society called for a stronger and more effective Europe, with a significant geostrategic footprint, strategic autonomy and a deeper foreign policy cooperation. A digital, greener, smarter and fairer Europe, more flexible in dealing with the emerging challenges and threats, in light of defending and promoting its fundamental values and principles of peace, democracy and security.

Today is another milestone on our way to more Europe. This is about seizing the moment.

Greece can play a significant role in that discussion, as a key partner in the Eastern Mediterranean for both Europe and the United States, but also as a ‘regional hub’ in solving Europe’s energy conundrum.