During his visit to Geneva, Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Kotsiras engaged in a series of significant meetings with representatives of the Orthodox Church and the Greek community, reaffirming Greece’s commitment to supporting its diaspora and religious institutions abroad.
As part of his trip, Deputy Minister Kotsiras visited the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, where he met with Metropolitan Maximos of Switzerland. Following their meeting, he expressed Greece’s support for the work of the Metropolis of Switzerland and the Orthodox Center, highlighting its crucial role in preserving Christian tradition and fostering interreligious dialogue. In a statement on social media, he affirmed:
“We stand by the multifaceted mission of the Metropolis of Switzerland and the valuable work of the Orthodox Center for the dissemination of the Christian tradition and the promotion of interreligious dialogue.”
Engagements with the Greek Diaspora in Geneva
Mr. Kotsiras also took part in an event at the residence of the Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations in Geneva, Ioannis Gkikas. The gathering was attended by Greek Ambassador to Bern, Katerina Simopoulou, and Consul General in Geneva, Alexandros Gennimatas.
The Deputy Minister engaged in discussions with Greek professionals working in international organizations and representatives of Greek expatriates, presenting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad 2024-2027. Emphasizing the government’s dedication to the Greek diaspora, he stated:
“We are constantly improving the services provided to Greeks abroad, strengthening Greek language education, promoting networking among Greeks worldwide, and deepening their ties with Greece.”
A key part of Mr. Kotsiras’ visit was his meeting with the Mayor of Geneva, Christina Kitsos, where they discussed the role and influence of the Greek community in Switzerland. He praised the contributions of Greeks in the political, economic, and social life of the country, and explored potential areas of collaboration for the benefit of the Greek diaspora. Following their discussion, he remarked:
“We discussed the significant presence of Greeks in political, economic, and social life in Switzerland and explored opportunities for cooperation to further support and empower the Greek community.”
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
