Your Excellency,
My dear Raychelle,
It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you today in Athens, following the meeting we had in Rome last June, and you are the first Foreign Minister, not only of Kenya, but of Sub-Saharan Africa, that we have hosted in Athens for quite some time now.
First of all, I think that your visit carries an important symbolism, which is related to the fact that in recent months I have made seven consecutive visits to African countries.
It symbolizes the strengthening of Greece’s relations, of Greece’s ties with the countries of the African continent, relations that had unfortunately been neglected for many years, despite our ties with this part of the world, despite the Greek Diaspora’s presence and the absence of a colonial past.
The purpose of our meeting is to discuss ways to address common challenges. Common challenges are terrorism, illegal migration, but new perspectives are also opening up, considering the rapid economic and population growth of the African continent.
And I have to say that Kenya constitutes a pillar of stability, democracy and economic growth in East Africa. Today we discussed our bilateral relations, which are at an excellent level, but far below the potential we have, especially in the economy, trade and investment.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between our Diplomatic Academies is a small first step and I hope that other steps will follow quickly, as four Agreements are already under joint processing.
I would also like to thank you very much for publicly acknowledging, during your visit to the President of the Republic, our contribution to the fight against the pandemic in Kenya. This is our duty; it is our duty to help where and when we can.
My dear Raychelle, today we celebrate Europe Day and on this occasion, I think I have to say that we fully support the conclusion of the negotiations on the Economic Cooperation Agreement between Kenya and the European Union.
Because we believe that Kenya plays a very important role in deepening relations between the European Union and Africa and we, Greece, are promoting this strategic relationship. This was the main message of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the EU-African Union Summit in February.
Europe Day also symbolizes the integration effort of EU countries, but this comes with a precondition and that is the elimination of war from our continent and from interstate relations as well as the establishment of relations based on the rules of the International Law. And it is a pity because unfortunately, today, while your visit is taking place, there is war and scenes of violence once again in Europe.
We are doing everything we can to contribute to tackling the crisis in Ukraine as well as the humanitarian crisis, and we have pledged to take an active part in rebuilding the country.
And also, in a highly symbolic move, the Greek flag is flying again, ladies and gentlemen, today in Kyiv. The Greek Embassy re-opened in the capital of Ukraine, headed by Manolis Androulakis, the last diplomat to leave the martyr city of Mariupol, who has been appointed Chargé d’ Affaires.
Greece, through the Embassy in Kyiv and the Consulate General in Odessa, stands by the Greek Diaspora, but also by the side of the Ukrainian people.
My dear Raychelle, concluding, I would like to emphasize the constructive role that Kenya plays as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and also the fact that Nairobi is the seat of the United Nations Environment Programme, an authority for the largest global challenge.
Fifty years ago, when this Organization was established, no one could have thought of the enormous, central importance it would acquire.
I would also like to thank you for supporting Greece’s candidacy for the Security Council and to assure you that Greece will contribute actively to tackling the effects of climate change.
Greece also firmly believes that the presence of countries such as Kenya and Greece at the Security Council, will help show that International Law, including International Law of the Sea and UNCLOS, to which Kenya is a party -it is a signatory State of UNCLOS- constitutes the basis for relations between countries.
And I will have the opportunity, immediately after, during the working lunch that will follow, to inform you about the security challenges that Greece faces in the wider region.
As well as to inform you about the developments regarding the Cyprus issue. I am aware that historically Kenya, due to its relations with the Commonwealth, is very close to the Republic of Cyprus.
So, we will have the opportunity to discuss all these challenges we face during the working lunch.
I would also like to thank you for briefing me on the security challenges Kenya and the African continent face.
Welcome to Athens, thank you very much for your presence here today.