Trilateral cooperation on diaspora issues
Under “Strategic Goal #5” of the Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad, entitled “Strengthening Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation in the Field of the Diaspora,” provision is made for the “development of existing bilateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks in the field of the Diaspora (Cyprus, Egypt, Armenia), while also utilizing networking, promotion, and advocacy opportunities to strengthen Greece’s image abroad and advance Greek positions and interests.”
A. TRILATERAL COOPERATION BETWEEN GREECE, CYPRUS, AND EGYPT ON DIASPORA ISSUES – “NOSTOS” PROGRAM
The trilateral cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt on diaspora issues, while respecting the unique characteristics of each country’s expatriate communities, has established strong foundations for the further deepening of the fraternal relations among the three countries.
To date, six Trilateral Ministerial Meetings on Diaspora Issues between Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus have been held. The most recent were the Fifth Meeting, held in Athens in June 2025, and the Sixth Meeting, held in Limassol in November 2025.
Within this framework, two key documents have been signed. In December 2017, the Trilateral Cooperation Protocol for the program “NOSTOS – The Return: 2nd / 3rd Generation” was signed, while in October 2021 a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of the Diaspora was signed during the 9th Trilateral Summit of Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt.
Through this framework of cooperation, the diasporas of the three countries have become an integral part of regional cooperation. To date, four “NOSTOS – The Return” programs have been organized, while the fifth is scheduled to take place before the end of the current year in Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt, under the title “Mothers of Civilisation” / “Ancient Sacred Paths.”
B. COOPERATION BETWEEN GREECE AND ARMENIA & GREECE-CYPRUS-ARMENIA ON DIASPORA ISSUES
On 15 December 2017, a Greek-Armenian Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in diaspora matters was signed, following the signing in June 2017 of a similar Memorandum of Understanding between Armenia and Cyprus.
This was followed by a trilateral meeting between Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia in Nicosia in August 2019.
On 24 June 2022, a new trilateral meeting between Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia took place in Patras, during which a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation in the field of the Diaspora among the three countries was signed.
From 28–30 October 2022, then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Katsaniotis visited Yerevan to participate in the “Global Armenian Summit” and in a new Trilateral Meeting between Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia.
In August 2023, then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Kotsiras met in Cyprus with his Armenian counterpart, High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Mr. Zareh Sinanyan, on the occasion of their participation in the World Conference of the Cypriot Diaspora (23–25 August 2023).
The Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Ms. Myrogianni, visited Yerevan (17–20 September 2024), where she participated in the “Global Armenian Summit” and presented the Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Loverdos, on the sidelines of the United Nations International Conference on the Two-State Solution in the Middle East, met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia, Mr. Vahan Kostanyan, in New York (28–30 July 2025).
C. TRILATERAL COOPERATION BETWEEN GREECE, CYPRUS, AND ISRAEL ON DIASPORA ISSUES
The trilateral cooperation among the three countries has been consolidated through the Summit Declarations in Thessaloniki in 2017 and Beersheba in 2018, with the ultimate goal of strengthening relations in strategic sectors of common interest. Diaspora issues have now been incorporated into the agenda of trilateral cooperation at the level of Heads of State and Government of the three countries.
1. First Trilateral Meeting of Greece – Cyprus – Israel on Diaspora Cooperation
(Jerusalem, 06.03.2017)
The first trilateral meetings between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel aimed at strengthening cooperation on diaspora issues were held in Jerusalem, following the agreement reached during the Trilateral Summit Meeting between then Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Tsipras, then President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Anastasiades, and then—and current—Prime Minister of Israel Mr. Netanyahu.
Within this framework, then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Mr. Kouik and then Commissioner of the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus for Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots Mr. Fotiou held their first meeting with then Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Mr. Sharansky, and a second meeting with then Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel Ms. Hotovely.
2. Second Trilateral Meeting of Greece – Cyprus – Israel on Diaspora Issues
(Thessaloniki, 15.06.2017)
The meeting took place within the framework of the 3rd Trilateral Summit of Greece-Cyprus-Israel. Then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Kouik met with then Commissioner of the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus for Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots Mr. Fotiou and then Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Mr. Sharansky.
3. Third Trilateral Meeting of Greece – Cyprus – Israel on Diaspora Issues
(Nicosia, 21.08.2017)
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 19th World Congress of Overseas Cypriots. During this third meeting, following those held in Jerusalem and Thessaloniki, then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Kouik met with then Commissioner of the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus for Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots Mr. Fotiou and then Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Mr. Sharansky.
4. Fourth Trilateral Meeting of Greece – Cyprus – Israel on Diaspora Issues
(Nicosia, 12.12.2018)
Participants included then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Kouik, then Commissioner of the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus for Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots Mr. Fotiou, and newly appointed Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Mr. Herzog.
5. Fifth Trilateral Meeting of Greece – Cyprus – Israel on Diaspora Issues
(Jerusalem, 26.02.2019)
Participants included then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Kouik, then Commissioner of the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus for Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots Mr. Fotiou, and then Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Mr. Herzog.
IMPLEMENTED ACTIONS
From 21–30 August 2019, within the framework of this trilateral cooperation, a visit was organized for youth members of the diasporas of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel across the three countries. A total of twelve young participants from the three countries visited Israel, Greece, and Cyprus consecutively. In Cyprus, they attended the 20th World Congress of the Cypriot Diaspora, held in Nicosia from 27 to 30 August 2019.
6. Sixth Trilateral Meeting of Greece – Cyprus – Israel on Diaspora Issues
(Athens, 13.01.2020)
On 13 January 2020, the 6th Trilateral Meeting of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel on Diaspora Issues was held in Athens, with the participation of then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for Greeks Abroad Mr. Vlasis, then Commissioner of the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Fotiou, and then Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Mr. Herzog.
Also participating in the meeting were then Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy Mr. Ioannis Chrysoulakis and Ms. Ayelet Nahmias Verbin, former member of the Knesset and former head of the Israel-Greece parliamentary friendship group.