The outgoing US Consul Gregory (Greg) Pfleger, who leaves Thessaloniki to go back to Washington “after two wonderful years”, as he said in his farewell interview with the ANA-MPA, “sees” an “amazing future” for Thessaloniki and wider northern Greece.
The American diplomat said that his two-year stay in Greece – specifically in Thessaloniki – was an extremely instructive experience for him in terms of religion in the wider sense of the word. “I have visited Mount Athos several times and I will visit it one last time to learn new things from the monks,” he said.
His experience in Thrace was also instructive since, during his recent visit to the region of Xanthi, he had the opportunity to talk with both Metropolitan Panteleimon and Mufti of Xanthi Bilal Kara Halil. “After some discussions I had, I was pleased to find out that nothing has changed despite international tensions,” he said. “The way each community lives, coexists and supports each other has not changed and will not change. I think that it is extremely promising.”
“We have excellent relations with the Muslim community both here (in Thessaloniki) and in Athens. We are constantly encouraged by their work, the work of the Greek government, and the Greek people, who promote the peaceful coexistence in the country,” he added.