On the first day of his official visit to Tokyo, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis had a series of contacts aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation between Greece and Japan and promoting Greek positions. He met with Japanese MPs and members of the Greek Diaspora in Japan.
In particular, the Alternate Minister had an extensive discussion with the Chairman, Taro Kono, and the members of the Greece-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group in the House of Representatives. Mr. Varvitsiotis emphasized that the ties between the two countries are historical and are established on solid foundations of friendship, mutual respect, and shared values, with particular emphasis on respect for International Law, peaceful settlement of differences, and condemnation of any form of revisionism. In response to their questions, he outlined Greece’s progress since the end of the economic crisis, placing emphasis on economic recovery, digital transformation, and active foreign policy. He also thanked them for promoting national positions on issues of Greek and Greek-Japanese interest. They agreed that there is still huge scope for cooperation between the two countries, particularly in terms of strengthening parliamentary diplomacy, while the Alternate Minister invited them to visit Greece.
Mr. Varvitsiotis also met with members of the Greek Diaspora in Japan, the Greek business and academic community, and Japanese people associated with Greece. He was informed about the issues of concern to Greeks operating there and praised their contribution to the promotion of Greek interests and culture. “You constitute a dynamic part of Japanese society and we are at your side for whatever you need”, Mr. Varvitsiotis said, conveying the support of the Greek government and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is scheduled to visit Japan, as well.