G. Kotsiras: We stand at the side of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and Egyptian Hellenism
During his visit to Alexandria and Cairo – which he concluded today, Thursday, 10 October – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs George Kotsiras conveyed the Greek state's support for the Ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Greeks of Egypt.
Mr. Kotsiras participated in the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the enthronement of Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, noting the special importance Greece attaches to the role of the Patriarchate as a beacon of Orthodoxy in Africa and the multifaceted pastoral, educational and missionary work of the Patriarchate.
Acknowledging Greece’s support for the Patriarchate in the person of the Deputy Minister, His Beatitude awarded Mr. Kotsiras the Cross of Saint Mark with a star, an honorary distinction of the Patriarchal Throne. The previous day, as part of the celebrations, the Deputy Minister attended an artistic evening featuring the soprano Sonia Theodoridou, organised by the Greek Embassy in Egypt, in collaboration with the Hellenic Community of Alexandria.
During his stay in Egypt, Mr. Kotsiras met with representatives of the Hellenic Community of Alexandria and the Hellenic Community of Cairo. The Deputy Minister discussed issues of concern to the Greek community and briefed them on a number of actions being implemented in the context of the Foreign Ministry’s Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad, such as programmes for hosting diaspora children at summer camps in Greece. During his visit to the Achillopouleio School in Cairo, Mr. Kotsiras talked with teachers and students and stressed the importance of Greek language education and the efforts being made to enhance it through the use of modern digital tools.
In the context of his visit, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs visited the new Library of Alexandria, an ecumenical centre for promoting the letters and Hellenistic history of the city, and the Cavafy Museum, which is housed in the apartment where the great Alexandrian poet resided.
In Cairo, Mr. Kotsiras met with Egyptian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nabil Habashi. The talks confirmed the excellent level of Greek-Egyptian relations, with emphasis on the potential for further deepening of cooperation between the two countries on Diaspora issues, both bilaterally and in the context of their trilateral cooperation with Cyprus.
October 10, 2024