"Upgrading our relationship with the Diaspora Greeks is a fundamental government priority, demonstrated in practice with policies that will improve the daily life of Greeks living abroad and strengthen their relationship with the motherland”. This message was emphasized by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Kotsiras speaking today in Parliament during a session of the Special Permanent Committee on Greeks Abroad on " Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Initiatives for Greeks Abroad”.
Mr. Kotsiras first mentioned the utilization of digital tools to improve the daily life of Greeks abroad. In this regard, he pointed out the special section on gov.gr portal for Greeks abroad and the digital assistant mAIgov, which allows citizens to interact with the Greek public sector in 25 languages. He also made extensive reference to the digitalization of consular services, describing it as a "major wager", in which "we will invest systematically" in order to improve the contact of Greeks abroad with the Consular Authorities.
The Deputy Minister placed particular emphasis on the Foreign Ministry's Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad (2024-2027), which has presently entered into consultation via the Ministry’s website mfa.gr, to gather and harness feedback and suggestions form the Diaspora. As Mr. Kotsiras noted, this Plan serves as "a road map", "a unified, coherent and constantly updated strategy with specific priorities". Its goals include, inter alia, supporting Greek Diaspora networks and structures, leveraging the Diaspora's presence to promote Greek interests, strengthening ties with Orthodox ecclesiastical institutions, and enhancing the Greek language and culture.
Greek language learning is a significant priority, stated the Deputy Minister, mentioning the expansion of the online educational platform staellinika.com in French and German, as well as recent events organized by Greece's Diplomatic and Consular Authorities abroad for the International Greek Language Day (February 9th).
Thw relationship between Greece and Greeks Abroad is "a structural, national, and constitutive one for Hellenism," Mr. Kotsiras emphasized, adding that leveraging the Diaspora "with vision and objectives" concerns "Hellenism as a whole and the defense of our national positions worldwide."
It is noted that the General Secretary for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Ioannis Chrysoulakis, participated also in the briefing of the Committee on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
February 14, 2024