The announcement of the appointment of Ms. Alison Duncan as the next Ambassador of Australia to Greece was made on Friday, June 16, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Ms. Penny Wong.
Ms Duncan, who will also be accredited to Bulgaria and Romania, will replace Mr Athanasios Spyrou, who has been the head of Australia’s diplomatic mission in Greece for the past few years.
In her announcement, she said, “Australia and Greece have an enduring relationship grounded in strong people-to-people links, common values and a shared history forged during WWI and WWII.”
“Australia will continue working with Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and other European Union member states to conclude an ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement between Australia and the EU as soon as possible,” she added.
Read the full announcement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia:
Today I announce the appointment of Ms Alison Duncan as Australia’s next Ambassador to Greece. Ms Duncan will also be accredited to Bulgaria and Romania.
Australia and Greece have an enduring relationship grounded in strong people-to-people links, common values and a shared history forged during WWI and WWII. Almost 500,000 Australians claim Greek ancestry and have contributed greatly to our multicultural nation.
Our trade and investment relationship with Greece is growing. In 2021-22, two-way goods and services trade with Greece was $2.2 billion with Australian companies present in Greece supporting its energy and infrastructure sector.
Australia will continue working with Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and other European Union member states to conclude an ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement between Australia and the EU as soon as possible.
Australia cooperates with Greece, Bulgaria and Romania on a number of shared interests, including countering terrorism and illegal people movements. We have a likeminded approach to a range of international security issues, including upholding the rules-based international order, disarmament and non-proliferation.
Ms Duncan is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Assistant Secretary of the Consular Communications and Policy Branch. She has previously served overseas in Indonesia, New Zealand and Solomon Islands.
I thank outgoing Ambassador Arthur Spyrou for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Greece, Bulgaria and Romania since 2019.
