Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with distinct pleasure that I am addressing this workshop. It touches upon a subject that lies in the very heart of our common cultural identity in our broader region. Islam’s rise in Arabia challenged the Byzantine Empire. Mirroring this political climate, art was used as an instrument of both antagonism and cooperation.
The exchange and adaptation of motifs and styles turned into a vehicle of projecting power, but also of understanding different cultures. The experience gained from this interaction proved that there were considerable benefits for both sides.
Constantinople, for example, became one of the largest trading hubs in the world. Similarly, the Red Sea emerged as an important corridor for long-distance trade between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. Interestingly, nowadays, Greece is actively engaged with Arab countries of the region, such as Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman. In addition, Greece forges, after a long pause, closer ties with India.
Our hope is to build, or rather to revive, a bridge of peaceful coexistence based on shared principles and values, such as respect for international law, and in particular the International Law of the Sea.
Speaking of ties between the Greek and the Arab world, we cannot forget the eternal debt that we all owe to Arab scholars, who have preserved the texts of Ancient Greek scholars. These contacts and exchanges created close ties between the Greek and the Arab cultures.
For centuries, cultures and religions that flourished in the Mediterranean basin, coexisted and found fertile ground for further development. However, nowadays, extremist ideas threaten to revive long forgotten animosities and tensions. This is the case with Turkey’s decision to convert into mosques Hagia Sophia and the Chora Monastery. These two monuments that have been designated as World Heritage Sites are regrettably, being used for political ends.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
History has shown that, with the passing of centuries, what has prevailed is the peaceful interaction between cultures that have flourished in the region. They have served as the foundation of a long, mutually beneficial past and they promise an auspicious future.
Thank you.