Prime Minister Antonis Samaras gave a speech yesterday at an AJC event in Brussels on Europe’s future stressing that democracies should fight together and united the racism, terrorism and extremists.

Mr Samaras underlined that today democracy faces four challenges: Freedom, justice, social cohesion and growth promoting reforms.

During his speech, Mr Samaras refereed to the recession that Greece dealt resulting to unemployment and poverty for a great part of the population.

“We have recently gone through a prolonged recession that hit hard on our society, in particular on our middle class and its prosperity. It generated unprecedented levels of unemployment, especially youth unemployment. It impoverished a large part of our population. It has been tough for most citizens and very bitter for all of our society.” he said.

Mr Samaras also added that “Just two years ago, many “outsiders” were predicting a Weimar Republic type of collapse in Greece; with extremism gaining over and crushing liberal democracy. But we proved them wrong! Extremism gained some ground, but never gained the momentum. Today, extremism of all kinds has started losing steam.”

He also referred to the social cohesion which although it was seriously traumatized, it “eventually withstood the pressures. Democracy, although taking a lot of beating by populism of all kinds, stood on its feet.”

Mr Samaras continued by saying that “Recovery has started! Unemployment reversed its trend and growth is approaching. Greeks withstood very trying moments with courage and dignity.”

However, he admitted that “the fight is still on”, but “we are gaining ground”.

He stated that “This is a fight of hope against fear; this is a fight of liberal democracy against extremism and populism. This is a fight of our new United Europe against the ghosts of our past. This is the fight of human freedom and dignity against terror and tyranny. This is an uncompromising fight: Democracy will prevail.”

The Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras also stated that in order democracy to win, leaders should convince citizens that “democracy is not a breeding ground for extremism or populist opportunists, but it is what guarantees freedom, justice and social cohesion and home of free citizens practising democratic ethos. It is a launching pad of growth and prosperity.Reforms are not an “ordeal” for the people, but a salvation for the society.”

Mr Samaras also stated that “there is no tolerance for racism! There is no tolerance for terrorism. And there is no tolerance for extremists advocating the break of the rule of law. Citizens cannot live under fear. Democracy is based on Freedom. And public security is a necessary prerequisite of Freedom; because there is no Freedom where fear prevails.”

He also talked about the Nazi and referred also to Genocides and the Holocaust while mentioning that Greece enhances the law against racism.