For the first time Greece is drawing up a holistic, coordinated and integrated strategy for Greeks Abroad in the long term, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Kotsiras stressed, presenting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad 2024-2027 during a session of the Special Permanent Committee on Greeks Abroad in Parliament today.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that the Strategic Plan follows a series of initiatives that underline the government's substantial interest in the Diaspora, such as the removal of obstacles to the vote of Greeks abroad and postal voting. He also stressed that the Greek Diaspora is an "enormous national capital that transcends party rivalries", it is an issue of "national and universal importance". With the Strategic Plan, which was formulated after a long consultation and presented recently at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a "first, very significant national step" to bring Greeks living abroad closer to their homeland has been achieved, the Deputy Minister said.
He referred in detail to actions outlined in the Strategic Plan that are already underway, such as the digital transformation of consular services, promotion of the Greek language learning platform staellinika.com, the expansion of youth hosting programs for the Diaspora and the promotion of cooperation between Greek universities and universities abroad. The Deputy Minister particularly emphasized the actions to attract the scientific diaspora and the brain drain generation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognizes the importance of the Greeks Abroad and stands by them, adopting a "modern approach", he stressed. He highlighted the importance of broader partnerships for the implementation of the Strategic Plan and the Deputy Minister said he is open to constructive proposals, stressing that the Strategic Plan is a "road map" and a "dynamic text".
November 26, 2024