First of all, I would like to apologize on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who very much wished to attend this event. Ηe was originally scheduled to attend, but he had to accompany the Prime Minister to Sharm El-Sheikh.
Dear Ms. Rogkakou, Governor of the National Transparency Authority, thank you very much for your cooperation and for co-organizing this event today.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to thank all the speakers who are present here today to share their knowledge and experiences. The EEAS mediator, Mr. Loïc Lallemand-Zeller, who travelled from Brussels to be with us. The Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Athens, Mr. Lodge, as well as Ms. Nathanail, Head of the European Investment Bank Office in Athens.
The main priority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to create a modern and inclusive working environment. An organization where every employee, regardless of gender, identity, origin or other characteristics, has a voice, a role, and creative space. Preventing and combating any form of violence or harassment in the workplace is fundamental to the institutional integrity and the effective functioning of the Ministry itself.
We desire an environment that is creative, productive and resilient to modern challenges. An environment that offers its workforce a sense of security and opportunities to fully develop their skills and personality, without fear of being undermined at their work or any type of hostility.
In this context, the Unit for Equality, was established last year under the Secretary General, whom I thank very much for all her efforts. A symbolic but also substantive move, with actions that are already leaving their mark. Last year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Equality Action Plan for the period 2024-2027 was presented in this very amphitheatre. A document that includes 39 milestone projects aimed at promoting equality and inclusion within the Ministry. We firmly believe that the concept of promoting equality also includes preventing and combating violence and harassment in the workplace.
It is worth noting that Greece was the first European country to ratify Convention 190 of the International Labour Organization, a historic text on combating violence and harassment in the workplace. The creation of a special reporting mechanism for such incidents within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the designation of February as a month of awareness demonstrate our practical commitment in this area.
Every employee, regardless of rank or form of employment, has the opportunity to seek help, request protection and report incidents or behaviors that violate their dignity. In view of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, allow me to reaffirm the commitment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to combating this unacceptable behavior and zero tolerance towards any incident of violence and harassment. Respectful working conditions, as an expression of human dignity, constitute a human right.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to the relevant protective legal framework against violence and harassment. As required by the principle of the rule of law, we are all bound by rules. No one operates independently. The hierarchical structure aims to ensure the smooth and effective functioning of the service and in no way justifies incidents of violence and harassment. Establishing a safe, supportive and creative work environment is the responsibility of us all.
Thank you very much.
October 13, 2025