Good evening,
When the Prime Minister called me this afternoon to tell me to represent him, I asked myself what place I have among you. And fortunately some brilliant people have already spoken, presenting today’s subject, so that I can share a few of my thoughts with you.
I would very much like the Greek people to have watched this presentation live. For a very simple reason. To regain a portion of their lost self-confidence. Over the past three years, we have lived through difficult times in Greece. I will agree with Mr. Panagiotopoulos – because I, too, travel a lot, and I have visited China a number of times – that the ideogram for the term crisis is the same as the one for opportunity.
The crisis – we have to realise this at some point – brought us face to face with reality. We looked at ourselves in the mirror, and we now know what we need to do. The government is determined and, despite the fact that it is handling a very difficult and delicate state of affairs, is striving boldly. And I don’t think it will be long before the day comes when we experience the first tangible results: A new Greece that will rise up, be worthy of its past, be proud of today and certain of its future.
The prerequisites for all of this are simple. And the prescription is now familiar to all of us. I hope that at some point all of us in Greece realise that at this particularly difficult time, there is no room for us to look at the reality of the situation differently. We know each other in this land, and all of us now act as ourselves, undersigning what we say and do. And you will have heard me say often, from the outset of the crisis, that understanding is a one-way street.
The private sector is coming to show us the way. The private sector with a Greek identity, as well as the large companies like Procter & Gamble, which is today opening its doors at this research and innovation center that, in the final analysis, shows that Greece will make it. We have the work force, the people, here in Greece and abroad. We have the spirit, the strength, the ideas. We have the dynamism. We are distinguished for our creativity, and it is no coincidence that we stand out and distinguish ourselves throughout the world. Because before, Greece was an idea. It was culture. It was an example. It was principles. It was values. Today, all of these will return. And they are returning through profound contemplation on the part of all Greeks. And we mustn’t be discouraged by what we see every day on the streets and in the squares. This should make us more tenacious.
Today’s presentation here by this very important American enterprise is an act of confidence in the new Greek economy that will arise from the crisis. An economy in which we will all have a portion of responsibility, as individuals – as was said earlier – and as a whole.
So, I started by saying that I didn’t know why I was coming here. One thing is certain: now I know, because tomorrow morning I will speak – as a public figure and as a Greek citizen – with more power of the value that is Greece. Through all of these programmes we are putting together at this time, going against the Sirens of the times, to overcome the difficulties and once again open an optimistic road forward. We just need to convey to Greek society everything we are sharing here together today. We have a great responsibility, as do the news media, for how the miserable side of Greece is projected on a daily basis. A difficult state of affairs is one thing, misery is another. That is not Greece. We have taken steps forward.
Greece has changed over the past 50 years, through mistakes, perhaps, but also through correct choices. We are a country that is proud at the heart of the European Union, the core of the Union, on the front line of international initiatives, where our important, positive, stabilizing role is evident. Until a few years ago, Greece was a model for emulation in Southeast Europe. It no longer is, but it will become one again. The crisis is opening a road again. While we have been the black sheep in recent years, I am certain that it won’t be long before Greece is be pointed to as a model for how a country can find its feet again; regain its orientation and stature. This effort requires work. And the example is here before us, tonight, in what was presented earlier.
I tried to hold onto key phrases that previous speakers used. And there were so many that I would say that, on their own, the could comprise a text of values for how Greece will be able to move ahead again proudly, with credibility and self-confidence.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I had prepared a speech for this evening, but I don’t think there would have been any point in reading it to you, because these are just the formalities that accompany a moment like this. But I do want to say something to you. That your mission is much more important than the promotion of products; than opening up roads through these new innovative ideas on how ideas can be put forward or products can be promoted. At the core of what is taking place here tonight – and I assume that this unites us all – is how we can make ‘brand Greece’ credible in the world again. This responsibility falls on all of us: on the country’s politicians, the business world, and Greek society. It is one of this government’s priorities, and I consider it a great honor that the Prime Minister put under my supervision all of the actions that have to do with the re-branding of Greece.
A few days ago, at the Foreign Ministry and, later, at the Prime Minister’s office, there was a gathering of all the stakeholders involved in promoting the country. Invest in Greece, as represented by the competent ministry, the Development Ministry and the Ministry of Tourism Development. We put forward ideas, our proposals, and I assure you that in the coming time a new proposal will be heard and promoted. And we will fight. You know, it is very difficult to build something new – you know this better than anyone – and it is very easy for an image to collapse, be it the image of a product or the image of a country. As we speak – and to be absolutely frank – brand Greece is not what it should be. It needs a lot of work. But we have the strength, the energy, the inspiration, the resolve – everything we need to achieve the goal. And we will need your help. We will even need this research and innovation center, which, as was said earlier, is at our disposal in this hospitable space with its modern technological support and new technologies.
Let’s all work together. This message of unity is important if Greece is to regain the identity it deserves. And in a short time, brand Greece will once again be on the front line. The messages come here, tonight, from this gathering. But they also come from all over the world. Because, despite everything suffered by our country’s international image due to this broad economic crisis, there are more people who believed in and continue to believe in Greece. Because they grew up with everything that was born in this land. And today, thanks to the dynamic element that represents us so well throughout the world, allow me to make mention of the Hellenic Initiative. These distinguished Greeks, like our friend Mr. Panagiotopoulos, who have begun to rally together, will, I am sure, play a very important role in promoting the new face, the new identity of our country.
You have my sincere gratitude for the pleasure you gave me of being here with you today.
Thank you.
January 28, 2013