Deputy Foreign Minister Terens Quick's meetings in Australia

Within the framework of his visit to Australia, Deputy Foreign Minister Terens Quick had a series of meetings in Canberra, the capital of Australia.

He met with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Foreign Minister J. Bishop, Industry, Innovation and Science Minister A. Sinodinos (of Greek extraction, with roots in Lixouri) – who requested cooperation with Greece in the innovation and technology sector – the head of the main opposition party, Bill Shorten, and shadow foreign minister Penny Wong.

He also met with all of the federal MPs of Greek and Cypriot origin, including J. Banks, S. Georganas, M. Vamvakinou and N. Xenophon.

Mr. Quick's talks focused on issues of international interest and he had the opportunity to brief his interlocutors on the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations, the course of the negotiations on the review and the debt, and other issues of mutual interest.

He also thanked all of his interlocutors for Australia's firm position on the Skopje issue and compliance with the relevant UN resolutions on the name.

He also met with the newly set up Australia-Greece Friendship Committee, which is chaired by J. Banks, who has family roots in Epirus and Kiato.

In Australia, Mr. Quick made the following statement:

"Irrespective of the political discussion I had with everyone I met with from the government and the opposition, I got the same common denominator: their love and respect for Greece. The Prime Minister in particular, as he told me, learned Greek at the school he attended, and katharevousa at that.

Moreover, everyone underscored their admiration for the Greek community of Australia, expressing their gratitude for the key role the community played in developing its second homeland.

Finally, I announced to the Australian-Greek Parliamentary Friendship Committee that we will be very pleased to support its plan for the creation of an ANZAC Museum in Limnos, to honour the Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians who fought in the First World War."