The President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou is sending a message of unity and solidarity to the expatriate Greeks on the occasion of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

In her established message to Greeks abroad, she emphasizes that “In our difficult times, the unity and solidarity of Hellenism is our strongest strength” and adds that “Our homeland recognizes in you an integral part of itself and looks forward to your creative powers and your unwavering faith in our common ideals. The prestige and international position of our country is inextricably linked and strengthened by the kind and lasting cooperation of the Greek communities all over the world”.

At the same time, he emphasizes that “Greece remains a pillar of stability and security and seeks to build relations of friendship and cooperation with the countries of the wider region and the peaceful resolution of problems, without any retreat in the defense of its sovereign rights”.

The following is the entire message of the President of the Republic to the Hellenic diaspora:

“My dear countrymen,

With joy and emotion I address all of you, the Greek men and women who live, work and create far from the ancestral home, in every corner of the planet.

To all of you who, with faith in your abilities, with hard work and with a compass of the timeless values ​​of Hellenism and the traditions of Romanism, succeeded not only in adapting to your new homelands, but in excelling and distinguishing yourself in letters, the arts, the sciences , in sports, in business and in every creative activity. You have managed, many times under adverse circumstances, to keep alive your national consciousness and love for Greece, not just as your place of origin, but as a stable point of reference and an inherent element of your identity. And thus become worthy ambassadors of our country and an example for your fellow citizens. Your Greek state is grateful and stands by you with all its strength.

Especially lately, challenges and crises follow one another. The pandemic, the increase in migration and refugee flows, climate change and the disasters it causes, geopolitical rivalries, war conflicts and the resulting social and economic upheavals are testing the endurance of states and citizens and shaking the universal values ​​of humanity and solidarity . The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the armed conflict in the Middle East threaten international and regional peace and security, while the need to protect innocent civilians becomes imperative. Racism, human rights violations, social and technological inequalities, the rise of populism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia call into question the democratic foundations of our societies. Dealing with these phenomena requires vigilance, mobilization of forces and cooperation at the international level.

Faced with the great and uncertain changes of our time, Greece remains a pillar of stability and security and seeks to build relations of friendship and cooperation with the countries of the wider region and the peaceful resolution of problems, without any retreat in the defense of its sovereign rights. In the same spirit, we continue to fight for a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem, for the liberation and reunification of the Megalonisos, on the basis of the UN Resolutions. Our country, having emerged from the vortex of the long economic crisis, aspires to play an important role in the dialogue within the European Union to address common challenges. Strengthening democracy and the rule of law are issues that can only be resolved through coordinated action by European countries, based on the principles of solidarity and shared responsibility.

my countrymen,

In our difficult times, the unity and solidarity of Hellenism is our strongest strength. Our homeland recognizes in you an integral part of itself and looks forward to your creative powers and your unwavering faith in our common ideals. The prestige and international position of our country is inextricably linked and strengthened by the kind and lasting cooperation of the Greek communities all over the world.

With these thoughts, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, health, progress and every happiness in the new year.”