I would like to draw your attention to our openings beyond the known horizon, particularly in Africa and Asia. The symbolic object from Gabon demonstrates the relations recently built with a country that was not on Greece’s diplomatic map, a French-speaking African country that is also a member of the Security Council, and an environmental model.
By expanding relations with countries from every continent. But with countries that share the same perceptions, the same values, and the same principles. By broadening the scope of what we perceive as diplomacy: economic diplomacy, religious diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, sports diplomacy, and environmental diplomacy.
Today’s exhibition captures, in a way that may not be entirely obvious, some of these features that I have mentioned. For this reason, as Ambassador Balta said earlier, we thought that the exhibition should be permanently relocated to the reception area of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building on Akadimias St, and constantly be enriched with objects relating to the future and perhaps with some that we discover from the past, so that we present it to our foreign guests and to the public who would wish to visit it.
International developments over the last three years have demonstrated that many previously accepted truths have ceased to stand. The international environment is constantly changing. As a result, adapting to new circumstances is critical. The need to reposition ourselves in the face of new challenges is also imperative.
And, once again, no one has the right to think of oneself as more patriotic than others.
We should establish conditions that make us stronger diplomatically, militarily, economically, and culturally, as well as ones that make our country welcoming and hospitable, not only to tourists but also to young people and new ideas, tolerant, while yet wide open to innovation, outward-looking, modern and always updated.
The mobilization of Greek society within these parameters is critical to our national survival as we do not have the luxury of other European countries. We are facing a national security issue, emanating, in fact, from a NATO ally. We, therefore, do not have the luxury of division.
I will start, therefore, with the necessity of maintaining the major acquis of national understanding. Concord is an indispensable component of our national survival.
Mr. President,
Ministers,
Your Excellencies, Ambassadors, members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The latter presents us with huge opportunities, such as the organization, in coordination with the United States, of the “Our Ocean Conference” in 2024, the largest environmental international meeting that Greece will ever host.
To overcome the syndrome of a phobic, enclosed Greece, entrenched in the southern borders of the Balkan peninsula.
The exhibition follows and captures these images.
I’d say that maintaining these realistic parameters is, in my opinion, fundamental to our foreign policy, but it is not sufficient. It requires adaptation to ever-changing circumstances; it requires national unanimity.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like once again to thank you very much for your presence here today. Thank you very much.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
