Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to warmly thank you for attending today’s ceremony on the occasion of inaugurating the Pavilion of MFA’s G.S.G.A. at the 81st Thessaloniki International Fair.
The presence of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad at this year's fair is another landmark in its 32 years of continuous contribution to the Greek Diaspora, contribution we are expanding further.
The starting point for further enhancing and deepening ties and connections between the motherland and Greeks abroad can be no other but our shared path with the Hellenism of Cyprus.
Today, it is an honour and our pleasure to be hosting in Thessaloniki Fotis Fotiou, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs & Overseas Cypriots of the Republic of Cyprus, whom I have been working closely together with for months on a bilateral level.
Our shared objective is to develop and synchronise our pace with regard to the Diaspora, to help activate Greeks everywhere along with fostering their two-way relationship with the centre of the nation. To that end, I have already been to Cyprus twice so as to conclude all necessary steps for a cooperation agreement to be co-signed at the end of this year, for joint actions by the Greek and the Cypriot diaspora.
We are hopeful this synergy of ours will be further enriched at the level of our trilateral cooperation arrangements with other countries. Our plans include having a trilateral cooperation agreement on Diaspora affairs between Greece, Cyprus and Israel aspiring to exchange know-how on communication networks linking the motherland with citizens abroad.
Greeks abroad are, after all, a strategic partner for our government in consolidating equitable and balanced growth, which is why we are working towards having the Council for Greeks Abroad (SAE) restart, establishing its HQ in Thessaloniki, wishing to capitalize on such our unique human capital for the benefit of our country.
Moreover, we are investing in showcasing and promoting the values of Greek culture and language by establishing an International Greek Language Day. As you are aware, the Parliament recently adopted the relevant new institutional framework for Greek education abroad, thus modernizing and updating Greek studies to bring them in line with current educational standards and needs.
Throughout this activity of ours, our Cypriot siblings have been our partners and supporters. It is with them we shall next be developing a series of common actions, with Thessaloniki at the core, and with the cooperation of the Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus in our city.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me extend my thanks to G.S.G.A. staff for their overall efforts to keep relations between the motherland and the Diaspora substantial and alive.
Thank you.
September 11, 2016