..following his participation in a panel discussion organised in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe at the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Pula, 21.01.2022)
Friday, 21 January 2022
First of all, allow me to say that I feel quite at home. I come from Corfu, an island also on the South part of the Adriatic, an Ionian island, and Pula is very close to what I feel as home. Both as nature and as far as buildings are concerned.
So, Gordan, thank you so much for the honour to be here today. It is also a great pleasure to attend this discussion in the University of Pula with students on defence and security, which practically means on the future of Europe; our common home, our common house, our common future, our common destiny.
This was an extremely important and fruitful dialogue because it gave us the opportunity to enlarge upon all issues of defence and security. Not just hardcore defence, but also challenges such as the pandemic, the hybrid threats, the cyber-security, legal and irregular migration, instrumentalisation of migration by various countries and actors along the region, in order to apply pressure to EU countries and the EU itself.
I think, if we would like to have a chance as Europe in the future, we have to conduct this dialogue with the young generation.
So, I have to say, my dear Gordan, you did the right thing. And if you’ll allow me, I will copy your proud example.
Thank you so much for the honour and the opportunity you gave me.
