Mr. Lambrinidis: Your Eminence, it is a great pleasure and honor to see you in person in my new capacity. I had the opportunity to express to you my admiration for the religious, educational and, at the end of the day, national work you do for Hellenism in America, here at the Metropolitan of Hellenism and throughout the country.
Our country is a country of vast potential; a country that, despite economic problems – its own and those of Europe – has not retracted into its shell, but has become even more internationally oriented. We are defending our national interests and at the same time gaining an even more dynamic presence in the many major international developments that determining the fate of the planet.
I want to assure you publicly that the homeland’s presence throughout the world and here in America, naturally – this strong presence – will continue to make Hellenism proud and will continue to defend the country against any good- or ill-willed parties who favor other scenarios.
And as someone who was a Greek of America for many years, I would also like to express how moving it is to be here with you today, close to Hellenism, and say that I understand and know first hand the great work that can be done and is being done by Hellenism. As Foreign Minister, I will do everything to support your effort in this great, hopeful endeavor. Thank you again for your very warm welcome.
Archbishop Demetrios: We thank you, Mr. Minister, for your kindness, for the honor you do us in visiting the Holy Archbishopric of America here at its center. This is an exceptional opportunity because, as you stressed, Greece has from the beginning of its existence been an extroverted country. It had the incredible combination of great depth in the fields of science, region, culture, and at the same time a constant presence abroad.
It never shut itself off. And perhaps, according to historical analysts, this is also the reason it survived and has survived for some six or seven thousand years. For us, to put it in theological terms, it is the reason why God blesses Greece and keeps it alive, because it is a country on a mission: international action, and not introverted lamentation.
Your presence gives us great pleasure, because from the time you assumed your duties, Mr. Minister, you immediately began an uninterrupted series of visits. You started with Cyprus, you went north, you went to the Balkans. They tell me that you didn’t slow down in August. So, you have been doing a very important job, and, as we know, it is only through constant contact and communication with various leaders, politicians, economists, etc., that one can get results. You are a person who conveys a combination of realism and optimism, Mr. Minister.
I saw this once again today. You do not ignore the reality of the situation. You do not stick your head in the sand. And at the same time you are a person with a positive outlook, full of hope that once again our homeland will overcome its difficulties and be able to continue – uninterrupted – to play its role: to be a light, a hope, a source of warmth for the modern world, which is much in the dark, in the cold and in disarray.
Thank you for coming with your excellent associates, our ambassadors and with the other people from the Foreign Ministry. And you have the word of the Greek American community that we are day and night at the side of the Greek homeland so that we can once again, soon, see days that Greece and its people deserve. Once again, thank you very much for coming.
Journalist: Mr. Minister, the Prime Minister cancelled his trip due to the critical economic situation. Do you want to say anything on that?
Mr. Lambrinidis: No. I think that the Prime Minister’s office issued an announcement that is very clear. These are very important days for the implementation of the decisions of 21 July, and we need to be present in all areas, in Greece and at the UN, and that’s how it should be.
September 17, 2011