Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos met with representatives of the Greek American community and local society upon his arrival in Chicago on Wednesday. Taking the opportunity of his participation in the UN General Assembly in New York City, Mr. Avramopoulos scheduled brief but substantial meetings in Chicago and Boston with the Greek American Community, within the framework of the initiative to renew and strengthen Greece’s ties with global Hellenism, which at this time is being called upon to play a decisive role in the national effort to confront the crisis. He also scheduled important meetings with top local government figures.
The Foreign Minister addressed the Greek American community in a warm climate, stressing the strategic role of global Hellenism at this critical time, when Greece is fighting the greatest battle in its recent history, struggling to regain its rightful position in history – with its great achievements and legacy – in Europe and in the world. He also underscored that Greece, after some time and thanks to the sacrifices and resolve of the Greek people, is regaining its credibility in Europe, ensuring that the huge efforts of the Greek people will bear fruit and give the country back its orientation, status and confidence.
Referring to global Hellenism’s ties to the Greek homeland, he stressed that the government is laying the foundations for an upgrading of this relationship through thoroughgoing reform of the SAE, the organization for the collective expression of Greeks abroad, while at the same time opening roads and creating an environment that is friendly and hospitable to the strong community of Greek entrepreneurs abroad, which will contribute to the revamping of the economy and to growth and progress in Greece.
Mr. Avramopoulos met yesterday morning with top officials of one of the most important think tanks in the U.S., the National Strategy Forum. During the meeting, he pointed up Greece’s role as a pillar of stability and security in the turbulent region of the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Europe, stressing Greece’s comparative advantages, as well as its traditionally friendly relations of trust and deep understanding with the countries of the region. Analyzing in depth the developments in Europe and the prospects for further deepening of the European structure through the establishment of new institutions that will give the EU the new tools it needs to confront the crisis, Mr. Avramopoulos pointed up the significant progress that has already been made in Greece, underscoring the resolve of the new government and the Greek people, as well as the importance of reversing the negative climate that has been cultivated internationally.
The discussion looked at the latest developments in Syria and major shifts that have taken place in the Arab world, as well as at the geopolitical, regional and global repercussions of these developments. It was ascertained at the meeting that Greece, despite the economic state of affairs, continues to play a central, stabilizing role in security and peace in its neighbourhood. Also noted was the mutual strategic benefit to Greece and the U.S. of deepening their close cooperation, which was underscored by NSF chairman Mr. Friedman, who noted that Greece remains an invaluable partner and ally of the U.S. in the region. At the close of the meeting, Mr. Friedman, referring to Greece’s strategic role in the region, said of Greece, “We need you.”. The meeting also looked at the potential for the co-organization of a symposium in the coming months, with the participation of U.S. and European think tanks, on geopolitical developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and their impact on global security.
Later on Thursday, Mr. Avramopoulos met with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. This meeting took place in a very warm climate, due to the Minister’s personal relationship with the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago, of which he was declared an honorary citizen during his time as Mayor of Athens. In their talks, there was an exchange of views on the international economic crisis, while Governor Quinn noted the interest of the Illinois authorities and business community in developing cooperation with Greece in the sectors of investments, commerce, culture and tourism.
Foreign Minister Avramopoulos’s participation as a keynote speaker in the annual meeting of the American Jewish Committee drew great attention. In his address, he had the opportunity to talk about the historical ties between the two peoples, as well as the current framework of Greek-U.S. and Greek-Israeli relations. Underscoring Greece’s role in maintaining equilibrium in the Middle East, Mr. Avramopoulos noted that the deepening of Greek-Israeli relations was an obvious, if belated, development that is based on the shared will and mutual benefit of the two countries. He underscored that Greek-Israeli cooperation is not aimed against any third country, but can have a beneficial impact on the resolution of the major issues facing the region, due to the traditional relations of trust linking Greece with the Arab world. Welcoming the ongoing growth in cooperation amongst the organizations of the Greek and Jewish Diasporas, he stressed that their cooperation can contribute decisively to the development of cooperation between the two countries and with the U.S., and he announced Greece’s desire to host the first joint meeting of the organizations of the Greek and Jewish Diasporas from all over the world.
Before departing for Boston, where he will continue his meetings, Mr. Avramopoulos visited Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, wishing him every success in his mission and praising the pastoral work of the Metropolis and its increased role as a point of reference for the Greek community of Chicago.
September 22, 2012