Today, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with Archbishop Makarios of Australia at the Maximos Mansion.
The meeting took place as the Prime Minister’s visit to Australia is approaching. During his visit, the Archbishop will also meet with members of the Greek diaspora.
At the beginning of their meeting, the Prime Minister and the Archbishop exchanged the following remarks:
Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, “It is always a special pleasure to meet with you, Your Eminence, especially as my visit to Australia approaches. After a long time, a Greek prime minister will once again visit Australia and have the opportunity to meet with the highly dynamic Greek community there on the occasion of March 25th.
I believe that by then, we will also be able to bring very good news. We hope to have passed the provision that will allow our fellow citizens residing in Australia and registered on the electoral rolls to vote by mail in the next national elections with an enhanced majority in Parliament.”
I consider this to be a significant historical achievement for Hellenism. I look forward to substantial participation that will demonstrate global Hellenism’s, especially the Greek community of Australia’s, tangible interest in Greece’s domestic political developments.
Of course, I hope that by then, we will have reached an agreement in principle on the double taxation avoidance agreement. This means that even if we have not yet formally signed it, we will be able to announce it. This agreement is of great importance for Greeks active in Australia and for Greeks in Australia who wish to pursue activities in Greece.
Archbishop Makarios: “We are very happy and truly look forward to welcoming you with great joy because your visit is proving to be substantive, not merely ceremonial. This is what the Greek community of Australia wants and expects from you. For this reason, we are ready to receive you with great joy and enthusiasm.
We are aware of what you told us, that you are working and preparing matters concerning Hellenism in Australia. You are the prime minister of the diaspora, not only of Greece, but of all Greeks, and we recognize and appreciate this. We look forward to welcoming you, Your Excellency.”
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
