President Papoulias visits CERN and the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG)

President Papoulias meets Greek CERN scientists

The President with Rolf-Dieter Heuer, Director General of CERN

The President and the Acting DG of the UN in Geneva in front
of the Cycladic Idol replica donated by Greece

The President of the Hellenic Republic, H.E. Mr. Karolos Papoulias visited CERN on Saturday 3 May 2014, where he was given a guided tour of the underground ATLAS research premises and met with Greek scientists.

In a statement to the Press, Mr. Papoulias  said “as you know, Greece is a founding member of CERN since 1954, with the moderate economic means that it has, but with very rich human potential. What has indeed moved me, as a Greek, is the fact that my country has great potential. And I think that at some moment this potential will return to the country, within the walls so to speak."

He added that “It is often argued that an important part of the country's scientific potential leaves Greece due to the crisis. It may be true. But eventually it comes back. And those who leave our country, our own scientists, excel in whatever they do”.

Mr Papoulias continued by saying “our scientists are equal to all our foreign scientist friends. I realized this here today. I am delighted as the President of the Hellenic Republic, I feel that Greece does offer. It offers a lot to the world of science”.

He also stressed that “We Greeks carry a specific gene, a historic one. Here I felt that Greek scientists carry the gene of Democritus”.

He further mentioned that “Europe is showing its potential, its scientific potential. It can compete with whichever great power. We are of the view that Europe is a great power and it must thus contribute to global developments, in the scientific sector in particular, where it has great potential”.

Following his visit to CERN, the President of the Republic visited the premises of the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG) and was given a guided tour of the Palais des Nations.