K. Sakellaropoulou to expatriates: We are proud of you

On the occasion of the Christmas and New Year holidays, the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, addressed a message to the Greeks abroad, speaking with particularly warm words about the Greeks abroad, but also pointing out current issues, such as the coronavirus and the need for but also our determination against Turkish delinquency and aggression.

Ms. Sakellaropoulou stressed that “we are proud of you, our expatriate compatriots” and added that “you keep alive the tradition of Greekness, as a concept that is identified with open horizons, the need for communication, confrontation with other cultures and interaction with their most fertile elements “. He also reminded that “from antiquity, the history of Hellenism is tied to travel. Wherever they went, wherever the Greeks landed, they excelled and distinguished themselves. In the arts, in letters, in trade, in science, in politics. “And from their new homes, they have not stopped being interested in their place of origin and working for its progress.”

He also stressed that “in the two hundred years of our recent history, there are many examples that prove that the Greeks of the Diaspora played a catalytic role in the birth and formation of today’s Greece. We owe them a lot.” As he said, “from Alexandros Ypsilantis to Evangelos Zappas, from Ioannis Kapodistrias to Konstantinos Cavafy, from Neophytos Doukas to Elena Venizelou, from Andreas Syggros to Maria Callas, thousands of others, anonymous and anonymous, “with their talent, passion, hard work, ingenuity and ethos their own positive imprint. Always, the universal presence of Hellenism has been our boast, a valuable ally and supportive factor for our country.”

Referring to the coronavirus, she noted that “today the whole world is still facing the pandemic, which continues to test the limits and resilience of societies” and added that “its undeniable seriousness has shown how necessary international vigilance and assistance between “At the same time, it is an exercise of responsibility for all of us, especially through the day-to-day supportive behaviors of our fellow human beings, either through the self-sacrifice of doctors and nurses or the adaptability of many.”

In fact, he stressed, “getting out of the health crisis is our choice now. By isolating the virus with the vaccine, this gift of science, we are gaining back our freedom and our lives.”

Speaking about our country, he argued that it faces, in addition to the pandemic and its consequences, the immigration issue, the climate crisis, but also a turbulent and often threatening environment. “Conflicts and intense unrest are taking place in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, while uncertainty prevails at the international level. In this context, however, Greece, a guarantor of stability, continues to systematically build alliances and establish ties of friendship with states and peoples. of mutual respect for indestructible and universal human-centered principles, “he observed.

He also said that we want good relations with our neighbors, but at the same time we are constantly focused on fulfilling our national goals and priorities. “We are not going to take complete and expansive action. Our determination against Turkish delinquency and aggression is unwavering, as is the defense of our sovereign rights,” he said.

In the same vein, he reiterated that “the issue of the invasion and unacceptable Turkish military occupation of Sister Cyprus remains the greatest plague of Hellenism, the extent of which must not leave the EU unaffected” and stressed that “with cooperation and commitment to international “We continue the fight for a comprehensive and agreed solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the decisions of the United Nations Security Council and the European acquis.”

However, he described as encouraging the fact that “Greek communities everywhere actively participate in the dynamics of this complex process, as their actions help to establish a positive image of modern Greece in the consciousness of their fellow citizens, promoting the non-negotiable with unwavering commitment.” “right of our nation. The goal of all of us is to strengthen the international presence of our homeland.”

Closing her message, she noted that “in this climate, the celebrations of Christmas and New Year, with their splendor and symbolic depth, come to remind us of the possibility of rebirth, peaceful coexistence and hope”, while citing inexhaustible forces and values ​​of Hellenism, wished everyone from the bottom of their hearts “Merry Christmas, health, progress and every happiness in the new year”.

Source: AMPE