Senior offical speaks out against imposing EU values on those who don't want them

Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission (EC), said that the European Union should not impose its way of life on states that do not want it.

The statement was made at the New Economy forum in Madrid.

"We cannot and should not impose our [political] system, our values, our way of life on those who are not willing or ready to follow us," the politician stressed.

Schinas noted that the EU is present "in all situations of geopolitical conflict," but does not play a major role in the resolution of many such situations in the world. According to the EC deputy chairman, the degree of the EU involvement depends on the situation.