INTERVIEW WITH A GREEK POLITICIAN
INTERVIEW WITH A GREEK POLITICIAN (MAKIS BALLIS- MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT)
Student 1: Within the context of implementation of the Erasmus+ we would kindly ask you to answer the following questions. Thank you for your cooperation.
Student 2: Could you please tell us a few things about yourself?
Makis Ballis (Member of Parliament) : I am a journalist although I’ ve been retired now. I worked as a reporter in several Media in Volos for more than 35 years. My engagement with politics started from the local government in Volos. I was Deputy Mayor and Municipal councilor for some years in the ex- Community of Nea Ionia, Magnesia, but also candidate in municipal and regional elections. In 2015 I was nominated and I was elected as a Member of Parliament with SYRIZA in January and September 2015.
Student 1: Why did you get engaged with politics?
Makis Ballis (Member of Parliament) : I believe that citizens must participate actively in the matters of the society, of their city, of their neighborhood in the same way that students must be involved in their school matters having as a target the improvement of the conditions for all, the consolidation of the spirit of cooperation , solidarity, common effort through dialogue, the exchanging of attitudes and compositions that lead to a better “today” and a more hopeful “ tomorrow”.
Student 2: Which, do you believe, are the most important values in people’s lives?
Makis Ballis (Member of Parliament): First of all, a person must be “human” with the meaning Greek philosophers gave to the world. The values we have to follow are those of moral attitude, understanding for people around us, solidarity, respect for anything different, selflessness and finally eagerness to offer. In a few words we have to be useful to ourselves and to other people. Thus, we can build a better society.
Student 1: What is requested for all peoples is peace. Which way do you believe we can achieve that?
Makis Ballis (Member of Parliament): This is a difficult problem and its solution is even more difficult. Unfortunately, humanity proceeded through wars which competitions and demands of every kind caused. This kind of wars still exist today. If we can make our societies more peaceful we will be able to make the world more peaceful. We have to understand that competitions don’t serves simple people but those who supply them. We should limit the intensity burners and the reasons that they cause them. If we give more space to dialogue and the spirit of cooperation, if we use the mature thought instead of the thought for domination, then we may be able to create better conditions for peace everywhere.
Student 2: What’s your opinion about the refugee issue?
Makis Ballis (Member of Parliament): This is the big social and humanitarian problem nowadays, which unfortunately seems to get even bigger in the coming years. The main reason for these refugee flows is the war conflicts in various areas. Greece is a country which welcomes such refugee flows. People were pushed out of their country and their homes with a lot of children among them who sometimes don’t have their parents with them: It is to those people we must show our solidarity and offer our help. We should help them to survive and to create a new future for their families.
Student 1 : Do you believe in a close – borders Europe or in an open – borders one?
Makis Ballis (Member of Parliament): National borders were determined though international treaties after wars. Every country has its own defined and inviolable borders. This cannot be questioned or changed, especially in Europe. So when we talk about “ open borders” in Europe we don’t mean of course the abolition of national borders of every European country. We mean that Europe could be a united geographical place, where people, goods and services would be moving without particular restrictions or prohibitions. After all this was the main idea and principle for the formation of a united Europe so that contradictions could be limited and conditions for peaceful coexistence could be promoted.
Student 2: What is requested? The integration or the assimilation of refugees?
Makis Ballis (Member of Parliament): The thing that is requested is the smooth coexistence for the time when the refugees are accommodated in our country with mutual respect and understanding. People have their own customs and traditions. We must not forget that in our country as well, each region has its own tradition, customs, even its own way of speaking. There are elements of the culture of every population group or people tied to their history. These elements must be respected. Therefore, I believe that the social embodiment of the refugees will help the refugees themselves to formulate the terms so that they can join the community without renouncing elements of their cultural heritage and tradition and without losing their identity.
Student 1 : Do you believe that the treatment of the refugee issue by the European Union is appropriate?
Makis Ballis (Member of Parliament): Unfortunately, the European attitude and treatment is not the same and united. Whereas there are relative directions by the commission and mainly by the European Parliament for the understanding of the humanitarian problem as well as for the prevention of pressure problems which are posed on countries such as Greece, some countries decided to keep a totally different and in my opinion wrong attitude. Countries, like Hungary, for example, which closed their borders removed refugees who had settled down in their region, even refused to accept refugees who own a resettlement visa. This is an attitude which does not honor Europe of humanitarian values and democratic perceptions as we all European citizens desire.
Student 2: How do you dream our common European “house”?
Makis Ballis (Member of Parliament): As it is clear from what I mentioned in my previous replies, I dream of a European “house” open to new ideas and to people and not fenced and eventually isolated. Europe must find again its democratic and humanitarian face, must become the united place of cooperation and common effort. Europe must become an example of solidarity and creative attempt. I expect a Europe with greater social sensitivity, with fewer inequalities and with a common perception of coping common problems.