Deputy Foreign Minister Kyriakos Gerontopoulos carried out a three-day visit to Hungary, from Tuesday, 1 October, through Wednesday, 3 October. During his visit he participated in and addressed the Tom Lantos Institute’s conference on “Jewish Life and Anti-Semitism in Modern Europe.”
In the context of his competencies as Deputy Foreign Minister for Hellenism Abroad, Mr. Gerontopoulos visited the Greek village of Beloiannisz, which is situated 60 kilometers from Budapest. There, he conversed extensively with Mayor Konstantinos Papalexis and other Greek residents, also touring the church of Saints Constantine and Helen, the library, the cultural center, the elementary school and kindergarten, and the village’s sports facilities.
Mr. Gerontopoulos also met with members of the Self-Government of the Greeks of Hungary, visiting the K-12 Supplementary School that operates on their premises and talking with representatives of other Greek Hungarian community organizations.
He also visited the Chair of Modern Greek Studies at Eotvos Lorand University, where he exchanged views with over 40 students (Hungarian in their majority) who attend Modern Greek Studies classes, as well as with teaching personnel.
On his last day in Hungary, Mr. Gerontopoulos met with Metropolitan of Austria and Exarch of Hungary and Mid-Europe Arsenios, at the seat of the Exarch. Among the issues discussed was that of the church rectory in Budapest, which was confiscated by the former communist regime of Hungary, and the return of which is being pursued by the Metropolis of Austria, Hungary and Mid-Europe.
October 6, 2013