Your Eminence Archbishop of Mt. Sinai, Faran and Raithu,
Patriarchal Vicar, Your Eminence, Metropolitan of Memphis,
Your Eminence, Metropolitan of Pilousion,
Excellencies, Ambassadors of Greece and Cyprus,
Mme Consul General,
Mr. President of the Greek Community of Cairo,
Ladies and Gentlemen Presidents and members of Community Associations,
Dear friends,
Let me first and foremost extend a warm thank-you to all for such a nice welcome, and a special thanks to the Greek Community of Cairo for this beautiful gathering. I was particularly happy and emotional today, when, in my capacity as Deputy Foreign Minister, but also a teacher, I met the students of the Achillopouleios and the Ambetios Schools and was told about the huge efforts that parents, teachers and Greek community agencies are making to promote the Greek language, education and culture. This is a task of national significance which I wish to commend you on. It is within the framework of this effort of yours that the Greek State made sure Greek schools in Egypt are properly and fully equipped and staffed, ahead of the new school year for the benefit of their students.
Moreover, a little while ago, I had the honour and the pleasure to meet the President of the Hellenic Community of Cairo, along with the members of the Committee of Trustees, who acquainted me with the facts and figures of their important duties and work to preserve and strengthen the Greek presence currently in Egypt.
Let me acknowledge and thank you all on behalf of the Greek State for being the worthy heirs and continuers of a glorious legacy of historical significance for Hellenism, for all that the Greeks of Egypt have given and still give the motherland today.
I was impressed by the structure, the multivariate work and the multitudinous activities of the Community, but also its associations, the Presidents and the members of which I had an opportunity to meet on the occasion of this beautiful event.
Clearly, the drop in the numbers of Greeks in Egypt, over the last century for reasons well-known, has depleted neither the national vigor nor the dynamics of their community, for its ingrained potential for survival, excellence and distinction is still strong, under the spiritual tutelage of the Patriarchate and our Patriarch.
I wish to thank you very much for being here today and to assure you that the core of closer relations between Greece and Egypt does not only refer to closer political and economic/entrepreneurial ties but it is primarily about the future, the security and the prosperity of this community and its Church institutions here.
The Greek State, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, my aides and I are always, at your disposal, as your fervent supporters and assistants.
Thank you.
September 21, 2016