Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Kotsiras, emphasized the timeless value of the Olympic Truce, particularly during times of multiple global crises such as the current one. He addressed the event titled "Olympism and the Olympic Truce: Sports in the Service of Peace," held last night at UNESCO's Central Hall in Paris.
This initiative highlights "the values of Olympism, human dignity, democracy, and peace, as emphasized by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his message, "which was projected at the opening of the event, observed Mr. Kotsiras.
"The tradition of the Olympic Truce, born in ancient Greece, represents a cornerstone of the Olympic ideals, revived by the International Olympic Committee and recognized by UNESCO," the Deputy Minister continued. He underscored that in an era of pervasive uncertainty and global turmoil, "the concept of the Olympic Truce and the need to uphold it is more relevant and urgent than ever. Let us adopt Olympism as a philosophy of life. Let us spread the message of the Olympic Truce, a message of hope for peace in the world," Mr. Kotsiras pointedly stated.
In his speech, the Deputy Minister also referred to UNESCO's role in protecting global cultural heritage, emphasizing that "the preservation of the universal character of monuments and the observance of international standards for the protection of religious and cultural heritage are clear international obligations binding all states." Mr. Kotsiras underlined the importance that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs places on cooperation with UNESCO, noting a series of cultural events unfolding in Paris in anticipation of the Olympic Games, as part of its public diplomacy.
The event was organized by the Permanent Delegation of Greece to UNESCO in collaboration with the Permanent Delegation of France, within the framework of Greek-French cooperation ahead of the Olympic Games to be held this summer in Paris.
May 16, 2024