Greek Diplomatic Life Official Site
President of Turkey pays landmark State Visit to Greece
“Greece and Turkey have more things in common than differences” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a landmark visit to Greece on December 7th-8th in which he was greeted by an honour guard at the airport before heading to central Athens to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. …...
Minister of Foreign Affairs carries out a tour of Asia
An upgrading of bilateral political dialogue and potential investment sought Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Kotzias carried out a tour in Asia and visited India, Singapore and South Korea, as part of the multidimensional and active foreign policy of Greece which seeks to upgrade bilateral political dialogue and sound out potential investor …...
Interview with H.E. the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, Andrea Ikić-Böhm
“With Vienna being an internationally recognised hub for international dialogue, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, including ecumenical dialogue, are important goals of the Austrian Foreign Cultural Policy. In our point of view, religion is part of the solution and not part of the problem… We firmly believe that the 2nd Athens ‘Conference on Religious and …...
Greek Foreign Minister meets with leadership in Ankara
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Nikoz Kotzias, paid a one-day working visit to Ankara at the end of October upon an invitation of his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. Expectations are high. After an unusually frosty beginning to the year, it appears that there exists willingness for de-escalation. The first step came when …...
Prime Minister of South Korea arrives as Korea receives the Olympic Flame
Economic cooperation between Greece and South Korea can significantly help the momentum of development, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in statements after his meeting with the visiting Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Lee Nak-yon at the Maximos Mansion. The reason for Premier Lee Nak-yon’s visit was to receive the Olympic Flame for …...
Prime Minister Pays Official Visit to the United States of America
America highlights Greece’s strategic importance as a beacon of stability During his five day visit in the United States of America, from October 14th to October 18th, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met in Washington with US President Donald Trump to discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues. The US President’s …...
2nd Ministerial Meeting – Greece, Albania, Bulgaria & FYROM
A broader strategy of Greek diplomacy for strengthening regional stability and cross-border cooperation The Second Ministerial Meeting between Greece, Albania, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia took place in Thessaloniki on October 4th-5th, with the participation of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Interior of the four states, as well …...
President of the Hellenic Parliament Visits Bulgaria
Today Greek-Bulgarian relations are the driving force not only of Balkan cooperation, but also of our common effort to make South-Eastern Europe a core priority for the European Union, said visiting President of the Hellenic Parliament Nikos Voutsis, in his speech before the National Assembly of Bulgaria. Mr. Voutsis was in Bulgaria on an …...
President of the French Republic pays State Visit to Greece
Urgent changes needed for the continent; deepening of strong relations between Greece and France France will continue to stand by Greece’s side in its efforts to achieve economic recovery, French President Emmanuel Macron said at the beginning of a State Visit to Athens on September 7th-8th. Heading a large delegation of Ministers and …...
1st Intergovernmental Conference between Greece and Italy
A foundation for restarting Greek-Italian cooperation in a number of areas A meeting between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni in Corfu opened the 1st Intergovernmental Conference between Greece and Italy, on September 14th. This was the first official intergovernmental cooperation meeting, with the participation of ministers, secretary-generals and …...
State Visit of the President of Bulgaria to Greece
Bulgaria and Greece are connected by a strategic partnership and are an example of good-neighbourly relations in the Balkans The Bulgarian Head of State paid his first Official Visit abroad to a country from Southeast Europe reflecting the importance of good bilateral relations “Bulgaria and Greece are connected by a strategic partnership, both in terms …...
Interview with H.E. the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Alexei Volkov
“We think that the key reason for our fast economic growth is Kazakhstan’s increasing cooperation with the world and its neighbours to expand opportunities, investments and spread prosperity. This is based on the evidence which shows that we all benefit if trade can be encouraged” “At a time when some countries are …...
The 206th Anniversary of the Signing of the Act of Independence of Venezuela
With the placement of floral offerings before the monument of the statue of the Liberator Simón Bolívar and an interpretation of songs and poems, a commemorative act for the 206th Anniversary of the Signing of the Act of Independence of Venezuela took place in the central square of the Municipality of Glyfada on July …...
Anniversary for the Birth of José Gervasio Artigas; A national holiday of Uruguay
In a ceremony in the city centre of Athens on June 19th 2017, the Embassy of Uruguay and the Consulate of Uruguay in Thessaloniki celebrated the birth date of José Gervasio Artigas, the great Uruguayan revolutionary and liberator. Her Excellency the Ambassador of Uruguay, Adriana Lissidini performed the festivities and delivered the oration of the …...
Croatian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign and European Affairs in Athens
Intensification of cooperation; seeking a European spirit Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Davor Ivo Stier paid a working visit to the Hellenic Republic recently where he held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias. The two officials confirmed that it was in both Greece and Croatia’s interest to …...
Foreign Minister of Montenegro meets with Greek counterpart
Both countries “beacons of stability in the Balkans contribute to the stability and security of the region” Greece and Montenegro intend to extend bilateral cooperation to more areas, especially in economic affairs, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and his visiting Montenegrin counterpart Srdjan Darmanovic said during a joint press conference after their meeting in Athens …...
Closing event of the SOAM Programme – Supporting Organisations that Assist Migrant asylum
On Friday, June 9th 2017, the closing event of the SOAM Programme – namely Supporting Organisations that Assist Migrant asylum seeking population in Greece – took place in Athens at the B&M Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts and Music. SOAM was funded by EEA Grants with IOM Greece being the Fund Operator. The …...
Progress on the EU Relocation Scheme delivered to members of the press
Chief of IOM’s Mission in Greece, expresses satisfaction with the level of relocations being achieved today The UN Migration Agency’s (IOM) office in Greece reports that, as of 30th April 2017, over 12,000 asylum seekers have been relocated from Greece to other European Union (EU) Member and Associated States. The total through …...
Foreign Minister meets with leadership in Algiers
There is a very good dynamic for the intensification of economic relations Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias paid a visit to Algiers at the end of April during which time he met with the Algerian Foreign Minister, Ramtane Lamamra (pictured right), and the President of the Council of the Nation, Abdelkader Bensalah (top). …...
Foreign Minister visits Prague to meet with leadership
We must prevent Europe’s fragmentation; render it, once again, attractive to its citizens Greek Foreign Minister’s Nikos Kotzias’ visit to Prague, on May 16th, took place at a special juncture for Europe where relations between Greece and the Czech Republic have prospects for improvement. The aim of the visit was to give …...
Interview with H.E. the Ambassador of the Republic of Malta, Joseph Cuschieri
DIPLOMATIC PROFILE “Inversely, as a country with a closeness and understanding of its southern neighbours and the Arab World, Malta seeks to be a trusted interlocutor and a voice sensitive to their realities within the European Union” “Undoubtedly, Migration and Brexit loom large in the immediate horizon as does the reality of the …...
Discover a hidden part of Athens – Mount Parnitha
Parnitha is the perfect place for nature and hiking lovers, herb collectors and gambling fans. Everybody finds something interesting on Parnitha Mountain, which is the highest mountain in Attica (1,400m) and one of the most beautiful in Greece. Ancient Greeks believed that the cloven-hoof god Pan used to come here to play his …...
President of the Federal Republic of Germany pays State Visit to Greece
Visit takes place at a crucial time for the EU and the Eurozone German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, following an invitation by Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, arrived in Athens on April 7th-8th on a two-day Official Visit to Greece during which, together with his Greek counterpart, opened the international contemporary art exhibition ‘Documenta 14’ …...
Georgian Prime Minister’s visit to Athens is of “historic value”
“In Athens, Georgia feels closer to Europe, spiritually and culturally” Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, along with Cabinet Ministers, MPs and a group of students, travelled to Athens at the end of March to celebrate the launch of the visa-free travel to the European Union in a symbolic gesture to mark the country’s “return to Europe”. …...
Official Visit of the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia
Parliament Heads sign a Memorandum of Cooperation raising the level of relations The excellent level of Greek-Serbian relations and the further development of cooperation between the two countries’ Parliaments were reaffirmed by the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Nicholas Voutsis and visiting President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Maja Gojković …...
Foreign Minister meets with the leadership of the Republic of Cyprus
Cooperation between the two countries is more productive now than ever before Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias visited Cyprus at the end of last month to represent the Greek Government at the annual student parade to mark the Greek Independence Day on Saturday March 25th. Whilst in Nicosia, Minister Kotzias met with President …...
British Secretary of State in Athens for talks with Greek counterpart
Kotzias: “Greek-British relations are historic and with a great future” The relations between Greece and the United Kingdom are historic, long-term and with a great future, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said during a joint press conference with his British counterpart, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson, who visited Athens on …...
Deputy Foreign Minister Visits Canada
Canada joins in the celebrations to mark the National Day of Greece Deputy Foreign Minister Terens Quick, who visited Canada within the context of Canada’s 150th Anniversary and 75 years of Greek-Canadian diplomatic relations – attending events held by the Greek Embassy and by the Greek Communities in all of Canada’s major …...
The 3rd annual meeting of UNESCO’s European Network of National Committees
On April 2nd, the 3rd annual meeting of UNESCO’s European Network of National Committees commenced with a concert and was held at the Rotunda of Saint George in Thessaloniki, itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Greetings and speeches by Minister of Culture and Sports Lydia Koniordou, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Amanatidis, Deputy …...
Interview with H.E. the Ambassador of Georgia, Ioseb Nanobashvili
DIPLOMATIC PROFILE “The decision of the EU Member States to open the European Union borders for Georgian citizens is an acknowledgment of the effectiveness of Georgian reforms in many spheres, be it strengthening of democratic institutions, fundamental freedoms and human rights, or economic freedom and sustainable development… We see membership to the EU …...
‘Odyssey of a Diplomat’ – A twist in our perceptions about adventure and envoy
A twist in our perceptions about adventure and envoy By H.E. Ambassador Dimitris Hatzopoulos, Director, MoFA Directorate for South America and the Caribbean ‘The Odyssey’ is the tale of the homecoming of Odysseus amid hardship and adventure, in a remarkable convergence of reality and fiction. It is one of the greatest epic …...
President of the Republic receives Royal welcome in Riyadh
Greece & Saudi Arabia reaffirm longstanding relationship The Official Visit of the President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos to Saudi Arabia paved the way for reigniting a new era of bilateral relations. The visit of President Pavlopoulos to Riyadh included a series of meetings with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, …...
Foreign Minister pays Official Visit to the United States of America
Greece is a beacon of stability in the region Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias visited Washington DC on March 13th-14th for a series of meetings with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, National Security Advisor Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster, representatives of the administration, Members of Congress, representatives of the academic community and Greek-American organisations. …...
“In Greece I found someone who fully shares my view,” says Maltese PM
“coalition of the willing” to seek more social Europe Malta and Greece have pledged to work more closely even in a “coalition of the willing” to seek more social Europe. On March 1st, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras received his Maltese counterpart Joseph Muscat holding discussions on a variety of issues ahead of the …...
Prime Minister of France visits Athens for talks with Greek leadership
“Greek-French cooperation can pass to a much more essential phase” Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve confirmed Greece and France’s close ties, solidarity and mutual support, during their meeting on March 3rd in Athens. France’s support to the great challenges that Greece faced has been invaluable, said Premier Tsipras, …...
EU Parliament Speakers Debate on the Future of Europe
President of the Hellenic Parliament Nikos Voutsis visited Rome to participate in the extraordinary meeting of EU Parliamentary Presidents held for the 60-year Anniversary from the signing of the Founding Treaty of Rome. The Conference took place on March 16th-17th and was hosted by the Italian House and Senate. “The European Union is facing a …...
Foreign Minister Pays Official Visit to Georgia
Relations between Greece and Georgia are strategic Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias paid a two-day visit to Georgia where he met with President of Georgia Georgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, President of the Georgian Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze and his counterpart Mikheil Janelidze. During his stay, the Greek Foreign Minister also held a lecture at …...
Greece Armenia enhance bilateral relations
Armenia places great weight on Greece’s contribution in efforts for closer dialogue Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic Nikos Kotzias carried out an Official Visit to Armenia on March 8th-10th upon the invitation of Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in which the two heads of diplomacy were said to have expressed a joint …...
Official Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany
Germany is determined to fight for the cohesion of Europe On March 23rd, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias met at the Foreign Ministry with the Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, Sigmar Gabriel. Following their one-on-one meeting, they made joint statements to the news media before the Foreign Minister hosted …...
IOM Deputy Director General pays Official Visit to Greece
Greece “can certainly count on our support in the coming years” International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Deputy Director General, Ambassador Laura Thompson, travelled to Greece on a three-day Official Visit between 14th-16th March 2017, stating that the IOM was making a great effort in the European Union, not just with the EU authorities, …...
Interview with H.E. the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Hellenic Republic, Andrey M. Maslov
Diplomatic Profile “We can say with certainty that the current political dialogue between our countries is characterised by an unprecedented intensity, which fully reflects the stepping up of the bilateral cooperation in various fields” “The ‘synchronisation of watches’ between the Foreign Ministries of our countries plays an important role in the bilateral …...
Prime Minister pays Official Visit to Serbia
Greece-Serbia Reaffirm their strategic ties It is of strategic importance to facilitate the rapid accession of Serbia to the EU given its key role in guaranteeing peace and stability in the Balkan region, Greek Premier Alexis Tsipras said after meeting his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic during his Official Visit to Beograd. “Premier Vucic …...
Prime Minister holds talks with leadership in Kiev
Greece always supports the need for peace in Ukraine Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras paid a visit to Ukraine on February 8th-9th in order to hold talks with the political leadership, as well as with representatives of the Greek community. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, Deputy Foreign Minister for Greeks Abroad Terrence Quick …...
Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica visits Greece
Countries express strong desire to enhance maritime ties The Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica was on a working visit to Greece from January 26th-30th, during which time he met individually with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Panagiotis Kouroumblis and Alternate Foreign Minister George Katrougalos. …...
President of the Hellenic Republic Pays State Visit to Portugal
EU needs to shift away from dead-end austerity policies The European Union needs to shift away from dead-end austerity policies, which are shrinking the GDP of most EU member-states and enlarging their debt, while negatively affecting both sustainable growth and social cohesion in the EU, President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, said during …...
Head of Greek Diplomacy pays Official Visit to Vietnam
Countries wish to strengthen multifaceted cooperation The common will for direct expansion and deepening of bilateral relations between Greece and Vietnam at all levels was confirmed during Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias’ Official Visit in Hanoi on the Anniversary of 10 years from the opening of the Greek Embassy in the Vietnamese capital and 40 years …...
Southern EU states forge common strategies in Lisbon
The Heads of State and Government of Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain and Portugal, meeting in Lisbon for the second Southern EU informal summit, adopted a declaration in which they confirmed the “aim of enhancing our cooperation and of contributing to a strong and united European Union”. The Declaration followed the second-ever meeting of …...
Greek Yogurt – Oh, So Rich in Possibilities
Yogurt is about as ancient as milk. Its beauty lies in its simplicity. Plain Greek yogurt is a nutrient-packed snack that has many health benefits, helping you meet the recommended dietary guideline of three daily servings of low-fat or non-fat dairy products. Greek yogurt isn’t just a fad; the world’s love affair for …...
President of the Italian Republic pays State Visit to Athens
Countries face common challenges in the economy and migration Italian President Sergio Mattarella and the leadership of Greece called for stronger cooperation among European countries to collectively and effectively face the common challenges of the economic and refugee crises. Greece and Italy share common ideals for the future of Europe and the Greek people …...
State Foreign Minister of Japan pays Official Visit to Greece
Closer Greek-Japanese relations reaffirmed The State Foreign Minister of Japan, Nobuo Kishi, paid an Official Visit to Greece from January 14th-16th, during which time he met with Alternate Foreign Minister George Katrougalos, the President of Greek-Japanese Friendship Group of the Hellenic Parliament, Vice President of the New Democracy party Kostis Hatzidakis and other …...
Reuniting Europe: the Maltese Presidency of the EU Council
On January 1st, Malta became the smallest country ever to take on the six month rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU. The priorities of the Maltese Presidency are driven by the objective to restore trust in the EU, the need for dialogue and reflection on the EU’s future, as well as the pertinent …...
Conference for Peace in the Middle East held in Paris
Israel and the Palestinians called upon to embrace a two-state solution as the only route to peace The Mideast Peace Conference took place in Paris on January 15th, calling for Israel and the Palestinians to embrace a two-state solution as the only route to peace. Attended by representatives from some 70 countries, it began …...
