Foreign Minister Avramopoulos’s address at a Greek Consulate General event in Chicago (19 September 2012)

I convey to you the heartfelt greetings of the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Antonis Samaras.

It is a particular pleasure to be among you and I always remember our previous meetings, in my various public capacities, such as the time when the City of Athens and the City of Chicago signed a cooperation protocol inaugurating a relationship that has a perceptible presence in this city.

This visit is taking place at a time when our homeland is at the core, the heart, of a battle, a great effort, a struggle.

We are living through a kind of war, only this war does not destroy building and kill people.

But we are living through a war that is killing gains we have made, hopes, and dreams.

We must win this war in the name of our homeland and of society.

I know how you feel, because you are in touch on a daily basis with your friends and relatives in Greece. You feel bitterness and disappointment and you share sentiments with your loved ones in Greece; sentiments that concern and dismay you.

I want to assure you that, in the spirit of unity, the government of national unity is doing battle and getting the first positive results.

After some time now, Greece is starting to regain its credibility and win support in Europe.

I want to believe that all the sacrifices – the truly great sacrifices the Greek people are undergoing – will produce results. Our country will regain its status and self-confidence, finding its orientation once more.

This is our common goal, and everyone is vital to this struggle.

We want the Greeks of global Hellenism on our side. The messages the Greek communities abroad are sending us are positive, and our responsibility to them is great.

The crisis has brought the time when we need to rebuild global Hellenism’s relations with the Greek homeland, upgrading the SAE through extensive reforms and opening roads, creating a friendly and hospitable environment for the strong Diaspora business community, contributing to the recovery of the economy and to the growth and progress of our homeland.

In spite of the crisis, Greece has not ceased to be one of the basic factors for stability and security in a region that is once again home to crises. We are a factor for stability and security not just in our neighbourhood, but throughout the world. Greece is a stable and stabilising factor with strength, a presence, a role, and participation. And we will not allow the economic crisis to deprive our homeland of this important role.

We are promoting Greece again, with pride. There is a plan, a strategy. Our foreign policy is being reactivated. And it is here that global Hellenism is being called upon to contribute through its organizations and initiatives.

Our relations with the U.S. hold a special place. We share a common course and are strengthening our relations even further. I want you to know that the U.S. has shown a particularly positive stance on confronting the economic crisis in Greece, standing by us with encouragement and support.

You are one of the strong links in the relations between the two countries, and you are one of the basic elements of progress and growth in this great power. We are proud of you, just as you should be proud of your origins. With these thoughts I greet this evening. And leaving, I take with me your message to our homeland in the midst of its current struggle: a message of support, fortitude, resolve and pride.