Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias participated today, Wednesday, May 26, as a keynote speaker, in an online event co-organized by the Embassy of South Africa and the Group of African Ambassadors in Athens, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the Africa Day, celebrated internationally on May 25, marking the 1963 founding of the Organization of the African Unity, which later evolved into the African Union.
The online event focused on the African Union’s Theme of the Year for 2021” The Arts, Culture and Heritage” and was attended by, among others, the African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Ms. Amira Elfadil Mohammed Elfadil.
In his speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the role of the African Union for promoting prosperity, and also in the security architecture of the African continent, underlining the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which paves the way for a common market of 1.2 billion people.
In parallel, the Minister highlighted the traditional bonds between Greece and the countries of Africa and the long-standing excellent relations they enjoy, while noting the intention of our country to enhance cooperation in all sectors, both at a bilateral and a multilateral level. He also referred to the opening of a new embassy of our country in Senegal.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed moreover the need to further develop the partnership between Europe and Africa and assured that Greece will continue to be a bridge between the two continents, with the Greek Diaspora in several African countries contributing in this direction.
Read the full text of the Minister’s speech here.