Athens , 20 May 2009

Dear President of the Federation of Greek Associations of Africa,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be here with you today. I want to thank you for the warm welcome and I congratulate the President of the Federation of Greek Associations of Africa, Mr. Aris Lychnaras, on the work he has done all these years and on the organization of this evenings event.

Without a doubt, the presence of Greek expatriate communities in every corner of the world is an invaluable bridge of communication and cooperation between us and other states. That is why the Foreign Ministry has moved ahead with actions aimed at strengthening our cooperation with expatriates and making their day-to-day lives easier, wherever they are living.

We are aware of the significant presence of Greeks in African countries, and we are also aware of the difficulties that have been faced and are still being faced by Greeks returning to Greece and repatriating. The geographical proximity of our country to the African continent has resulted in strong historical, political, cultural and commercial ties that go back through the ages. Unencumbered by a colonialist past, in these countries Greeks found a friendly environment in which to become active. As a result, a large number of Greek communities have been created, functioning as bridges of friendship between the two sides.

Our country currently provides significant development assistance to Africa, whether on a bilateral basis or within the Community framework. After all, it is widely known that the European Union is proportionately the largest provider of development assistance to African countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A second Greece lives and creates beyond Greece’s borders. There are Greeks living abroad who do much to boost our country’s power, and serve as a bridge with other states. Greeks who flourish and, through their business activities, help the economy of their country and the country where they are living. Greek expatriates the world over hold Greece warmly in their hearts.

Today, the state stands firmly at the side of Greeks who – despite difficulties – continue to live and distinguish themselves in Africa. We are well aware that Greeks in Africa have a strong love for Greece; our manners, customs and traditions. At the same time, we support the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria. At this point I would like to underscore the invaluable work that the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria has carried out through the years, providing substantial assistance to the peoples of the region. We are proud of the work of the Holy Mission and Patriarch Theodoros II – work that is often carried out under very difficult conditions.

In the past five years, our government has succeeded in significantly strengthening cooperation between Greece and Greek expatriate communities throughout the world. Within this framework, we upgraded the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) institutionally, broadening its field of action and strengthening its representation. At the same time, the government is constantly improving communication with expatriate communities and organizations, while promoting a comprehensive programme for bolstering Greek-language education for the children of expatriates.

In parallel, Kostas Karamanlis’ government has worked hard to give Greek expatriates an active role and a voice in developments at home, in Greece; to give them the right to vote in national elections. Unfortunately, the government’s proposal fell on fallow ground. The Prime Minister’s commitment to move ahead with the institutionalization of the right of expatriates to vote where they are living was not implemented. Every attempt on the part of the government was blocked by the opposition on trivial political pretexts. At this point, I want to stress in every direction that giving the vote to expatriates is a vital obligation of the Greek state to all expatriates, and this must be achieved soon.

Repatriated Greeks from Africa – for whom the government has already provided – are a part of Greek reality. Today, many Greeks who have returned from Africa to reside permanently in Greece are employed in the public and private sectors. Rest assured that we are well aware of the problems you are facing. But also be aware that your every effort, as well as every initiative undertaken by your organizations, meets with the moral an practical support of the Foreign Ministry and me personally, so that your day-to-day lives can be made easier.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our country systematically helps and supports Greek communities abroad. It supports and assists African countries that have been the countries of residence for many Greek expatriates for years now. Today, no country on its own can confront the structural problems of poverty and the repercussions of long-term recession. African states are no exception. Within this framework, development cooperation and assistance are basic tools for boosting African countries to the desired levels of development.

Greece participates actively in the effort to strengthen Africa’s growth potential via humanitarian and food aid programmes, scholarships, ensuring adequate supplies of drinking water, creating adequate infrastructure, strengthening transparency and democratic institutions. In the decade 1997-2007 alone, the Greek Foreign Ministry provide some $110 million in aid to African countries.

At the same time, we acknowledge that there is a huge discrepancy between the real needs for adaptation of less developed countries to climate change and the available resources provided by the international community. In an effort to close this gap, our country is providing – among other things – €12 million in funding over the next four years; funding that, based on an agreement signed recently with the African Union, will go to specific programmes for adaptation to climate change by less developed countries on the African continent. As I speak, we are in the process of evaluating the relevant programmes.

But development cooperation and assistance will not suffice, my friends, if we do not pursue recovery and prosperity for the peoples of Africa. We have to get past any obstacles and undertake initiatives that strengthen our economic and trade relations.

In this direction, there is already a significant cooperation framework between Greece and African states on the Mediterranean basin in the sectors of trade, energy, tourism, construction and shipping. We are making a systematic effort to further strengthen our country’s cooperation with African states, and we consider your organizations’ assistance to be vital to this effort. Concurrently, Greece is promoting French President Sarkozy’s proposal for a “Union for the Mediterranean” that will link European and African countries of the Mediterranean, covering a broad range of cooperation on environmental degradation, solar energy and security policy.

Moreover, as a member of the EU, our country is participating in the EU-African agreement known since 2000 as the Cotonou Agreement, which provides the basic framework for cooperation between the European Union and the countries of Africa. With a single voice and many joint actions, the EU is the largest provider of development assistance and is always present to help with the crises and problems of African countries. The Union’s development policy has now been expanded to include all developing countries. Specifically, the Union maintains relations with the countries of Africa; relations that go back to the earliest years of European integration.

Within this framework, the Union undertakes initiatives and approves Community programmes that are monitored by its legislative branch: the European Council and the European Parliament. The European Parliament is currently the co-legislator for a number of policies that directly impact our day-to-day lives. With the imminent adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, its area of responsibility will grow to include some 40 new policy sectors, including illegal migration, border control, public health and tourism – sectors of vital importance to Greece and the other countries of the Mediterranean.

Dear Friends,

The development of Africa is a global challenge. A challenge of peace and humanity. We all realise that we are at the beginning of an uphill climb. There is still much to be done. But I want to assure you that the cooperation of African countries with Europe is moving ahead fast and constructively. Rest assured that in this cause, Greece will stand by Africa and Greek expatriates in solidarity.

Thank you.