Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Terens Quick met yesterday with Peter Katsambanis, Australian MP and Chairman of the Board of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA).
The Deputy Minister briefed Mr Katsambanis on Greek foreign policy issues, including developments regarding the Prespa Agreement. Also discussed was the legislative framework for the Word Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) that will be soon put to public consultation and will then be brought before Parliament.
On the issue of the Greek Diaspora’s right to vote, Mr Katsambanis expressed his satisfaction on the update provided to the WHIA Board by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, Kostas Poulakis, as the competent committee will complete its legislative proposal within the first month of 2019.
Finally, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs informed the President of WHIA that a plan is being drafted for the establishment of an association similar to WHIA to bring together elected officials of Greek Diaspora serving in local government around the world. This initiative will enjoy the support of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad, the General Director of which, Michalis Kokkinos, was present at the meeting; a similar proposal does exist today, but it is limited to Europe.
December 21, 2018