Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen Ambassadors, Mr. Secretary-General, distinguished speakers, dear friends,
Following the Prime Minister, it is my great pleasure to welcome you as well to the “Latin America and Caribbean Day” event, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This is an initiative launched last year and we are delighted to continue it this year. This initiative demonstrates Greece’s strong will to further strengthen our friendly relations with the countries of this region.
And the participation of all of you in this event gives the Ministry of Foreign Affairs great satisfaction. This event as well as your presence here confirm Greece’s historic ties with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
It also lays the foundations for deepening political cooperation. Unfortunately, as the Prime Minister said earlier, we are still a long way from there. Nevertheless, we have developed strong, long-lasting bonds of friendship and solidarity. Indeed, in this regard, we have applied for observer status in the Caribbean International Cultural Association (CICA) and, very soon, our Ambassador in Havana, Mr. Tsakiris, will also present his letter of credence to CARICOM (Caribbean Community).
We believe, ladies and gentlemen, that we have many things in common. Our commitment to the idea of freedom, and our fight for the protection of human rights, are common characteristics of ours.
The deep desire for freedom led the peoples of both our country and Latin America to fight for independence, approximately during the same historical period. I have to say that there are very few, if any, Greeks who are unfamiliar with the name and, to a large extent, the work of Simon Bolivar.
In any case, his figure abounds in Greek literature as well. But there’s something else that binds us together. I’m referring to the vibrant spirit of our Diaspora communities which, through the regular exchange of experiences, make up for the enormous geographical distance.
This became very clear to us following the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Katsaniotis’ visit to Latin American countries last month. I can only express my “envy” because I was not there with him.
Nevertheless, despite having to postpone a visit for reasons of force majeure, I am planning to visit the region in the very near future.
Because apart from the historical and psychological bonds that link our peoples, I believe that our political and diplomatic convergence in international fora is also evident. And it can be further expanded as it is based on our broad commitment to International Law.
Furthermore, as an active member of the European Union, Greece remains committed to the goals of sustainable development. In the context of the two upcoming “Our Ocean” Conferences in Panama in 2023 and in Greece in 2024, we have already agreed with my Panamanian counterpart to coordinate our actions on an issue that concerns us all: The protection of the environment, the protection of the marine environment.
After all, in recent years we have all witnessed a number of natural disasters and we are still experiencing the effects of the pandemic. More understanding and more cooperation are the only way to better meet these challenges.
And Greece, with all its capabilities, but also with the opportunities provided by its membership in the European Union, is demonstrating – and will always demonstrate – solidarity with the countries of Latin America, as proof of the friendship that binds us together.
Actually, we endorse and encourage the European Union’s expressed will to become more active in Latin America and the Caribbean. Indeed, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is a huge challenge, but it must not be allowed to absorb all of the European Union’s diplomatic “oxygen”.
We will therefore seek ever closer communication and cooperation in politics, trade, the economy, and, of course, in what binds us – probably more than anything else – culture.
Once more, thank you very much.