Greek Diplomatic Life Official Site
The swearing-in ceremony for the 22nd Class of Embassy Attaché Candidates took place at the Foreign Ministry on November 30th in the presence of President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, Alternate Minister for European Affairs George Katrougalos, Deputy Minister for Greeks Abroad Terence Quick, Secretary General of the Presidency, Ambassador George Gennimatas, the hierarchy of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and family members.
During their addresses, President Pavlopoulos noted that Greece’s great successes in foreign policy “were achieved through close cooperation between political leaderships and the diplomats, the Greek diplomats, who proved themselves worthy of the homeland,” adding that “you are entering the Diplomatic Service at a very critical time, not just for our country, but also for our wider family, Europe and the whole world – Greece is not struggling solely for its national interest. It is struggling for the interest of the whole of Europe.”
On his behalf, Minister Kotzias said that in his capacity as Foreign Minister, one of his most pleasant tasks was to welcome new personnel as they realised their dreams and embark upon their journey to represent Greece with “courage, knowledge and frankness”. He noted that in today’s world, the realm of diplomacy has become increasingly important, especially for Greece; “a country that acts and moves in a region of instability… picking up the threads of history and restoring all our relations creatively, productively, upgrading the country.”
The young new Embassy Attaches are – Harilaos Kavetsos; Mikhail Nakos; Athanasios Papamargaris; Aristidis Maniatakis; and Nikolaos Mavroeidis. Third row: Mikhail Economopoulos; Emmanuela Zanin Pedioti; Panagiotis Anagnostopoulos; David Marinis; Achilleas Bikis. Fourth row: Konstantinos Androulakis; Georgios Economou; Minas Ounanian; Angeliki Kolokytha; and Panagiotis Kouyiou.
The young diplomats pledge their oath; President Prokopis Pavlopoulos greets Alternate Minister George Katrougalos and Deputy Minister Terence Quick in the presence of Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias; Minister Kotzias addresses the new Diplomats and their families. (Photographs by GDL.)
