HIGHLIGHTS NEW 2016

Desire to intensify its relationship with the European Union Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias recently carried out a visit to Tripoli for talks with the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya and Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj, and Foreign Minister Mohamed Taha Siala, noting that he was very thankful … ...

A long relationship of friendship; defending European ideals German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is also running as Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) candidate for German President, paid a two-day Official Visit to Greece on December 4th-5th, stating that although Greek-German relations had suffered from misunderstandings in the past, they should return to the … ...

Serbia and Greece to Be Pillars of Stability in the Region Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos’ visit to Belgrade reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations between Greece and Serbia and the existing constructive cooperation on a political and economic level. The Alternate Foreign Minister’s meetings with the Serbian side, and in particular with Deputy Prime Minister … ...

A new approach for the protection of heritage Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras participated in a UNESCO conference for the Protection of Cultural Heritage organised by the United Arab Emirates and France. More specifically, he visited Abu Dhabi from December 2nd-4th, where he met with Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and French … ...

A new climate of understanding The President of the House of Representatives of the Czech Republic, Jan Hamáček, was in Greece on an Official Visit recently, during which time he was accompanied by a large bipartisan delegation of the Czech Parliament. On friendship and cooperation between Greece and Czechia, both at political and Parliamentary levels, … ...

CREDENTIAL PRESENTATIONS ...

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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 … ...

POINT OF VIEW By Md. Shahidul Haque, Foreign Secretary of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Chair-in-Office of the Global Forum on Migration and Development 2016   “Bangladesh will push for how migration is managed and unleash the full social and economic potential of migration. And, in doing so, we will make migrants safer, societies more harmonious and … ...

Emphasis on strengthening cross-border cooperation At the end of last month, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS), Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis HN, paid an Official Visit to Germany, following an invitation extended to him by his counterpart, General Volker Wieker. After the official welcoming ceremony in Berlin, the two heads of defence … ...

Further strengthening of bilateral military cooperation   From December 6th-9th, the Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mahmoud Hegazy, visited Greece following an invitation extended to him by the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis HN. During this visit, the two Chiefs attended a series of … ...

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“We are as accustomed to thinking of European civilization as the vanguard of the world that we forget that for much of human history, the European peninsula was at the receiving end of the miracles of the East. Over the millennia, innovations such as Mesopotamian agriculture, the Phoenician alphabet, Greek philosophy and Arab bookkeeping, all … ...

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President of the United States of America, Barak Obama, paid a two day visit to Athens on November 15th-16th, bringing a message of support and hope as he had pledged ahead of his visit from the White House: “austerity does not bring prosperity and the young must have equal opportunities,” he said after meeting with … ...

Several key factors in favour of creating an alliance Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Athens on November 1st-2nd for talks pertaining to trade, economy, investment and energy cooperation, as well as international affairs and EU-Russian relations amongst other items on the agenda. During his visit to Athens, Minister Lavrov met with the President of … ...

‘Greece: An economic overview and investment opportunities’    London On November 10th, Alternate Foreign Minister George Katrougalos travelled to London where he met with representatives of the British Government and opposition, as well as with union representatives and spoke at prominent British universities. More specifically his individual meetings included with the Work and Pensions Secretary … ...

MoUs signed reinforcing the timeless ties of friendship Istanbul Deputy Foreign Minister, Responsible for Greeks Abroad (Diaspora Hellenes), Terence Quick carried out his first visit in his new capacity to Istanbul where he was received in by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and met with members of the Greek community there. With His All … ...

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  Greece opens its doors to strategic Indonesia   The Minister of National Defence, Panos Kammenos, paid an Official Visit to Indonesia at the beginning of the month upon invitation of his Indonesian counterpart, Minister of Defence of Indonesia, Ryamizard Ryacudu, during which time they discussed issues relating to the strengthening of cooperation between the … ...

Greece, Cyprus and Lebanon to work toward closer cooperation The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Nikos Kotzias, together with the Foreign Minister of Cyprus, Ioannis Kasoulides, visited Lebanon on November 8th-9th to follow up on decisions taken in Rhodes in September to ensure regional safety and stability. Both Minister Kotzias and his Cypriot counterpart … ...

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        The International Organization for Migration   A point of reference in the heated global debate on the social, economic and political implications of migration in the 21st Century             “I must admit that watching refugee and migrant kids going to Greek schools for the first time, … ...

DIPLOMATIC PROFILE   “Our Government worked, and keeps on working, to keep Lebanon’s foreign policy under the umbrella of its internal laws, that of the United Nations and the Arab league, as far as it respects the country’s internal policy and keeps its internal stability as a priority. As for the combination of its population, … ...

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Greece is known worldwide as one of the best summer holiday destinations. However, winter in Greece is just as magical. The Greek countryside is ideal for winter vacations, as they provide modern winter sport facilities along with spectacular scenery and a traditional welcome.   Nature, snow, fresh air and good food are what anyone looks … ...

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AII Committee of Senior Officials and EUSAIR Governing Board held in Athens   Alternate Foreign Minister Nikos Xydakis presided over the 4th Governing Board Meeting of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR), which took place in Athens on October 7th. In his remarks to the senior officials meeting, he stressed that the “excellent … ...

  A commitment to further deepen relations in all sectors   Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Ilir Meta headed a Parliamentary delegation for a three-day Official Visit to Greece at the invitation of the President of the Hellenic Parliament Nikos Voutsis. He was accompanied by the Chairwoman of Foreign Policy Committee, Arta Dade, the Chairman … ...

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  New and dynamic markets   Deputy Foreign Minister Responsible for International Economic Relations, Dimitris Mardas, recently paid a number of visits aimed at furthering bilateral relations between Kazakhstan, Germany, Russia, ASEAN and Korea.   Astana Deputy Minister Mardas was in Astana to attend the 3rd Inter-Ministerial Committee of Greece-Kazakhstan, during which time he signed … ...

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  DIPLOMATIC PROFILE   “Throughout history, Jordan has proved its ability to maintain stability in the region, regardless of the nature of the crises experienced by the region. Jordan has consolidated significant economic reforms and followed through with inclusive, political change. Yet, as Jordan moves forward, the country is living through a refugee influx at … ...

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At the end of last month, the Consular Corps of Greece extended a very special invitation to its members to attend a guided tour of the state-of-the-art building complex, as well as the interior and exterior public space surrounding the buildings, of the ‘Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre’. The project – designed by the renowned … ...

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  Plastiras Lake is a human intervention which manages to unite the artificial with the natural, culminating in a magical place with a fascinating landscape.   Lake Plastira is one of the most attractive places in Greece. It’s the perfect choice for someone who looks for serenity in nature, as well as for someone who … ...

Heads of State and Government sign Athens Declaration The Greek capital recently hosted the 1st Summit of the Heads of State from the Mediterranean European Union countries, culminating in a signed declaration stressing the need for unity within the European Union, in the wake of several major challenges. Leaders from EU Mediterranean countries have completed … ...

  Rhodes Conference for Security and Stability A political vision; to build stability, security, prosperity and peace   The first Conference for Security and Stability, a Greek initiative for creating an annual forum for open exchange of views, took place on 8th-9th September 2016 on the island of Rhodes, which has been a crossroads of … ...

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Presidents and Speakers of Parliament converge in Strasbourg   Reconnect Parliamentarians with the people: “people before profit” The Presidents and Speakers of Parliament from the 47 Council of Europe Member States met in Strasbourg on 15th-16th September to discuss the migration and refugee crisis, the role of national Parliaments in promoting democracy, human rights and … ...

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  DIPLOMATIC PROFILE   “Ukraine is a European country with powerful potential” GDL: Your Excellency, can you please tell us how Ukraine finds itself on the eve of the 25th Anniversary of its Independence? VS: On August 24th, Ukraine celebrated the 25th Anniversary of its Independence. This year is an important time for Ukraine, because … ...

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‘Run into History’ The 2016 Nemean Games   As Rio counted down to its final days before the Olympic Games 2016 Opening Ceremony, the 6th modern revival of the Nemean Games also took place in Ancient Nemea with the participation of many of our diplomatic colleagues from around the world. With the slogan ‘Run into … ...

Greek and Chinese Leaderships reach broad consensus Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras paid a five-day Official Visit to China from July 2nd-6th at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, during which time he also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping (see below left), Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhang Dejiang … ...

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The Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO), on the occasion of the festive cultural year ‘Year of Greece’ in Russia and the ‘Year of Russia’ in Greece, as well as the Anniversary of 1,000 years of Russian monks’ presence on Mount Athos (1016-2016), presented the photo and engravings exhibition: «Athos. The Holy Mountain» at the Hellenic … ...

The expanded Panama Canal is now officially open for business after people from across the globe witnessed history being made on June 26th as a massive neopanamax vessel passed through the Agua Clara Locks on the Atlantic side of the country and concluded with its transit through the Cocoli Locks on the Pacific side en … ...

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Kyriakos Pozrikidis TIF-HELEXPO SA Managing Director             The 81st TIF aspires once more to serve as a celebration of entrepreneurship, internationalisation, innovation and recreation.   There will be 12 exhibitions inside one greater one, with other parallel significant and supportive events and attractions.   TIF-HELEXPO is seated in the cosmopolitan … ...

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1487 years after Emperor Justinian’s closure of the School of Athens in 529 AD, the ancient site of the Platonic Academy recently welcomed again philosophical debates and a ‘scientific walk’ on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the 3rd International Symposium on Restorative Justice under the theme ‘Disciplining and Taking Restorative Justice Forward: From … ...

“The Slovak Presidency will follow three mutually interconnected principles, aimed at achieving tangible results, showing to the European citizens that joint European projects have practical and positive impacts on their lives. We will focus on further overcoming fragmentation among members states, connecting them more closely to the single market and on bringing the EU closer … ...

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Agreements signed prior to spiritual pilgrimage to Mount Athos President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin arrived in Athens at the end of last month where he met with the Greek leadership and signed a series of declarations and agreements on energy, tourism, technology and science. President Putin arrived in the Greek capital, meeting first … ...

  Greece and France sign road map for strategic relations   Upon the invitation of his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls paid a visit to Athens on June 2nd and 3rd expressing his country’s interest in investing in Greece, whilst promising more support with reforms that are needed to overcome the … ...

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While firmly adhering to the principle of denuclearisation, the Republic of Korea will remain open to dialogue and induce changes on the part of North Korea. We have been constant in our efforts to bring changes in North Korea’s strategic calculus and to build a genuine and sustainable peace on the Peninsula… ROK is to … ...

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Strengthening dialogue and broadening the prospects for further cross-border cooperation on coordination and handling of common challenges, such as the refugee and migration crisis “The Ministers felt the need to help towards the institutional development of their countries and ensure financing, the need to promote good governance in all countries of the region and strong … ...

Europe has become the first tourist destination in the world The ‘365 days – multi-destination tourism’ conference focuses on the major opportunities and challenges posed by coastal-marine and alternative – thematic forms of tourism, which may help to solve the problem of seasonal tourism, stimulating qualitative and minor forms of local development. The Speaker of … ...

Under the auspices of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) marked the start of construction of the pipeline project in Thessaloniki on May 17th. Shareholders from BP, SOCAR, Snam, Fluxys, Enagás and Axpo and over 300 high-level guests attended the event. The ceremony concluded with the signing of a pipe casing. The significance … ...

Toward the end of last month, the Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Development (AHCC&D) organised the 1st edition of the ‘Annual Iraqi-European Business & Investment Forum’, under the theme ‘Iraq and Europe: Cooperation & Growth’. The Forum was held under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Iraq, the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign … ...

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  On the occasion of the visit to Greece by Members of the Consular Corps of Liege (CCL), Belgium, the Consular Corps of Greece (CCG) hosted a reception in their honour. The guests had the opportunity to taste traditional Greek coffee and handmade sweets. The event took place at the picturesque Centre for Greek Tradition in the … ...

The Athens Diplomatic Club and Greek Diplomatic Life magazine held one of their regular ‘Happy Hour’ get-togethers for its members and colleagues from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 8th. Held at the rooftop Galaxy Restaurant & Bar of the Hilton Hotel overlooking picturesque Athens by night, the event provided yet another opportunity for new diplomats to become acquainted with their … ...

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The most famous island group in the Aegean Sea comprises some of the most beautiful islands in the world! Gorgeous sandy beaches, architecture in white and blue, traditional lifestyle, folk music, warm, hospitable people and barren landscapes with isolated chapels turn a trip to the Cyclades into a lifetime experience. The name refers to the islands forming a circle … ...

Europe must never again become a ‘dark continent’ The President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, travelled to Israel at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart, Reuven Rivlin. During his three-day visit, 29th-31st of March, the President also met with the Speaker of the Knesset Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Patriarch Theophilos III of … ...

United Against Austerity Policies The first joint front against austerity policies and in favour of adopting alternative policies in the EU was formed by the Governments of Greece and Portugal following a joint admission by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his Portuguese counterpart António Costa that the memorandums didn’t provide the solutions to the countries’ … ...

Pope Francis’s joint visit to the refugees on Lesvos Island, on April 16th, with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos was a “historic meeting that sent out very strong, global messages”. The three religious leaders greeted people staying at the Moria refugee centre in an emotional visit, during which some … ...

  On April 21st, all eyes were on Olympia in Greece, site of the ancient Games, when an imaginative ceremony saw the Olympic torch lit in front of the Temple of the Goddess Hera – beginning the long-awaited Greek section of the Rio 2016 Torch Relay. A flame is lit, a message is sent, a … ...

We Europeans should stand together On 8th-9th April, the Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Nikos Xydakis, received in Athens six Ministers and Deputy Ministers from European Union member states. In an expression of European solidarity, the Ministers were apprised with the management of the migration/refugee crisis following last month’s decisions from the European Council. … ...

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Greece Supports BiH European Integration Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Igor Crnadak has paid a visit to Athens during which time he held talks with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias (pictured right), meeting also with the President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos (pictured left) and Parliament President Nikos Voutsis (pictured centre). Talks … ...

Long tradition of friendship and responsible partnership Slovakia’s interest in constructive bilateral cooperation and an active dialogue during Slovakia’s Presidency of the Council of the EU has been conveyed by Miroslav Lajčák, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, to the Greek leadership in Athens. Minister Lajčák, on a working visit in … ...

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The ASEAN Committee in Athens (ACAT), in cooperation with the Faculty of Turkish and Asian Studies, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, recently organised a seminar on the theme of ‘ASEAN: A Community of Opportunities’ at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The event was attended by more than 80 participants, consisting of … ...

Every March 25th, Greece celebrates its National Day all over the world. On this occasion the Ambassador of Greece in Qatar, Ioannis Metaxas, hosted a warm reception, to which hundreds of distinguished guest were present to express their congratulations and best wishes to His Excellency the Ambassador and Embassy Staff on this special day. Ambassador … ...

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On April 13th, the Argentine Embassy in Athens, in collaboration with Greek importers and distributors AB Vasilopoulos, Bodegas Krontiras, Cava Kylix, Cava Cellier, Hebe Wines, Wine Box and Winegarage.gr, celebrated a new edition of the Malbec World Day. Under the motto ‘Celebrating a classic’ the Embassy gathered 250 people at a wine tasting at the … ...

 Strengthening of cooperation and bilateral exchanges reaffirmed The further strengthening of cooperation and bilateral exchanges on all fields was reaffirmed between the Foreign Ministers of Greece, Nikos Kotzias, and of Egypt, Sameh Hassan Shoukry, during a meeting they recently had in Cairo. At the press conference after their talks, the two top diplomats confirmed the … ...

Focus on the phenomena of migration and terrorism The 3rd Informal Ministerial Meeting of the ‘Med Group’, which was held in Cyprus at the end of last month, provided the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain and the Minister of State of France with the opportunity to exchange views on … ...

EU leaders must make decisions to end war in Syria Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Jordan, Atef Al Tarawneh was recently in Athens where he met separately with President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Nikos Voutsis, the Ministers of Foreign … ...

Excellent bilateral relations; Hellenic Parliament extends support From March 17th-19th, Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Nikos Voutsis made an Official Visit to Tunisia at the invitation of Speaker of the House of the People’s Representatives (HPR) Mohamed Ennaceur. The visit reflects the “excellent bilateral relations” between Tunisia and Greece said a statement from the Embassy of … ...

  Two countries should renew and upgrade their Friendship Agreement The Greek and Albanian Foreign Ministers Nikos Kotzias and Ditmir Bushati agreed that any problems between the two countries should be resolved on the basis of International Law and European civilisation to the benefit of both peoples. The statement came at a joint press conference … ...

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The General Consulate of the Dominican Republic in Athens recently realised the Commemoration of 172 years of Dominican Independence. Mrs. Genoveva Bernard de Roidis initiated the opening of this important celebration with a reception at the ASKLAYE premises. The ASKLAYE association is composed of all Latin-American countries in Athens, plus Spain. The event saw the … ...

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