Rubio, 'The West at a crossroads, Europe can wake up from its long hibernation'

"We believe that Europe can awaken from its long hibernation, and rekindle the fire that was lit here millennia ago." This was stated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his speech on Pnyx Hill, the seat of the assembly of Athenian citizens in ancient Greece, on the slopes of the Acropolis of Athens.

"Here we witnessed the first complete manifestation of all the fundamental characteristics that would later define the West. An insatiable curiosity. A thirst to know the mysteries of nature. An attempt to delve into the unknown," Rubio said.

"Today we stand at a crossroads (...) The next decade will write the history of the next century. Whether the West will maintain its position or surrender to a world in decline," he added.

"Too large a part of the West has forgotten. We have reached the point of being ashamed of the things that made us unique. Our well-being has become a source of guilt.

The word nationalism has become an insult. We have taught our children to be ashamed of the countries they will inherit", said the US Secretary of State, according to what was reported by Kathimerini.

Rubio is on an official visit to Athens as part of the sixth session of the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue, which focuses on energy and defense cooperation.