Today afforded the Journey Family an opportunity to learn about the issues that directly affect US-Greek Foreign Relations. In the morning, our entire group attended Dr. Dimitriou’s Foreign Policy class and was briefed about issues relating to the IMF, Greece’s economic crisis, and possible solutions to the situation. The session stimulated the students’ minds and prepared us for our briefing at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Upon arrival to the ministry, Victor Maligoudis, Second Secretary of the Ministry, updated us about political issues pertaining to Greece. Mr. Maligoudis spoke to us about a variety of issues including the Cyprus conflict, the Greek minority in Istanbul, and Greece’s hope for the countries of the Balkan region to enter the European Union by 2014. Topics also examined included “Greece’s Thessaloniki Agenda of 2003,” which aims to have all Balkan countries enter the EU by 2014. Mr. Maligoudis also discussed the importance of the US Naval Facility at Souda Bay, Crete. After his initial statements the Journey family posed a variety of questions. Questions included; “What can Greece do to limit the arms race with Turkey?” “What can be done to limit the illegal Turkish over flights over the Greek islands of the Northern Aegean?” “What is the status of Greek-Israeli relations?” and “How can Greece and the EU stop illegal immigration?”
After our initial briefing, we had a short break before our second session with Nikos Kotrokois, Deputy Director A7 Directorate of North America, MFA. Mr. Kotrokois was very well informed and recapped the importance of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to Greece. Mr. Kotrokois also praised the new US Ambassador to Greece, Ambassador Daniel B. Smith, and his diligent work collaborating with all sectors of the Greek government and improving US-Greek relations. Mr. Kotrokois spoke directly to the Journey Family throughout his speech, reminding us that as Greek-Americans and Greek-Canadians, it is our responsibility to share our wonderful time in Greece and change the negative perception that is being portrayed by the media and become future ambassadors.
At the conclusion of the second briefing, the Journey family made the short walk across the street for a tour of the parliament building. Once at the Parliament building, we were met by two Parliament officials who gave us a private tour of the facility. As we entered the building, our guide pointed to a flag of Malta that was flying in the front of the building, which signified that the President of the country was in the building. Our group received a tour and was given a presentation about how the Greek government operates in a parliamentary form. Also, the students were taken on a tour to the old Senate Chambers, the old Throne Room and had time to explore the history of the Parliament and the Greek State. Before leaving the building, students departed with a famous book, Pericles' Funeral Oration.
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