I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year. May we have joy and success, both in our homes and in our work here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I would like to say how proud I am that, once again, we are gathered to cut our New Year’s cake, which in itself signifies resilience. What is particularly important, however, is that each time we come together to exchange wishes for the New Year and to reflect on the year past, we always have something a little better, a little greater, a little stronger to say about our country. As you saw, yesterday we undertook a rather complex and demanding mission, which, thanks to the tremendous efforts of the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office , I believe that it was concluded quite successfully. Our aspiration is for the country —and for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs— to project confidence and strength; not merely to be strong in international fora, but also in our bilateral relations. It must be clear to all that Greece’s diplomatic footprint is steadily expanding.
Indeed, 2025 was a year in which our footprint grew significantly. For the first time, Greece recorded, at the level of the European acquis, its Maritime Spatial Planning map and established marine parks. We saw business giants come to Greece to conclude agreements on drilling. We achieved much of significance, built upon our strategic alliances with the United States and Israel. Above all, as of January 1, 2025, we joined the small group of countries that co-shape the global security architecture, through our participation in the UN Security Council. We are already in the second year of our term. It is of great importance that excellent work has been carried out in New York. Greece is present in multiple capacities, and I wish to warmly thank our Permanent Representation and all those who have served there for their tremendous efforts on behalf of our homeland. The mission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to ensure that citizens feel secure and proud of their country. As long as I serve here, we will remain fully committed to this effort.
At the same time, 2025 was a landmark year in our efforts, together with the political leadership, to strengthen our human resources, upgrade the Ministry’s infrastructure, and make the work of its personnel more effective and substantive.
First and foremost, we secured a significant increase in our budget, primarily because, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, we succeeded in obtaining a substantial share of the resources derived from consular fees. When I assumed office, the Ministry received only 40% of consular fees. Today, it receives 70%, of which 10% is allocated to a special fund for the maintenance, renovation, and construction of the buildings which house our diplomatic missions abroad. The management and use of our buildings overseas have already been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by law, and I am pleased to inform you that a major upgrade program is currently underway. This includes, for example, our premises in Zagreb, which —as you know— sustained extensive damage from an earthquake, as well as our emblematic buildings that fly the Greek flag, such as our Embassy in Washington, our Consulate General in New York, and our missions in Canberra, Ottawa, Cairo, and Alexandria.
Wherever there are buildings bearing the Greek flag, we will ensure that they reflect Greece’s strength and standing. This program is being implemented under the supervision of the Secretary General, Ms. Teresa Angelatou, who is constantly engaged in monitoring these matters. She travels almost as extensively as I do to oversee these projects. It is of paramount importance —and I will insist on this to the very end— that Greece maintains a strong presence abroad, not only through its diplomatic missions and influence, but also through its buildings, which often serve as landmarks in the countries where they stand.
Finally, I would like to refer to the major effort undertaken in 2025 to upgrade the financial conditions of the Ministry’s personnel. Thanks to the Prime Minister’s decision, €30 million were allocated specifically to improve staff remuneration. For the first time in 15 years, there was a truly significant salary increase. Beyond the general increase granted to all public servants and officials, a substantial raise was introduced in the Ministry’s special pay scale. For the first time, an allowance was granted to all Ministry personnel subject to relocation.
It is clear that the position of Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials differs from that of other public servants. It is not only the function they perform in service of the homeland. it is also the nature of their lives, which are markedly different from others, as they remain at the constant disposal of the state and may be called upon to serve anywhere in the world at any time, placing them in a more vulnerable position. I am genuinely satisfied and proud that our staff, when serving abroad, will now have a greater sense of security. Greater security, because the overseas allowance has been increased to better reflect local cost-of-living conditions; because the housing allowance has been raised; and, most importantly, and this gives me particular satisfaction, because no one will have to worry about their children’s education. For the first time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs covers 100% of tuition fees for employees’ children, not only abroad but also in Greece. We all understand what it means for children to grow up under conditions of constant mobility, or being continuously at the service’s disposal. We want the Ministry’s personnel to feel a far greater sense of security so that they can fulfill the mission to which they are called, which constitutes a national duty.
Before concluding, allow me to convey that the Deputy Minister, Ms. Papadopoulou, is, as you know, currently in recovery. She is hospitalized following a serious illness, influenza type A. She is doing well. I had the opportunity to visit her at the 251 Hellenic Air Force General Hospital , and we hope to have her back with us soon. We will save her a piece of the cake. May she be the one to find the lucky coin , as a wish for her swift recovery and to win the leave she so rightly deserves after all she has accomplished.
I wish you all good health. May we see even brighter days in our foreign policy, and may peoples' lives be blessed with more light. May we be well and celebrate together again next year. Happy New Year to all!
February 12, 2026