The Greek government gives priority to upgrading the relationship of the metropolitan center with diaspora Hellenism and to the promotion of the Greek language, stressed the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Kotsiras, concluding yesterday his visit to Vienna and Baden-Württemberg.

In particular, Mr. Kotsiras participated, addressing a greeting, in an event for the 220th anniversary of the Greek National School of Vienna, held on March 9 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Vienna, as part of the World Day of the Greek Language celebrations.

“In this sacred space, the coupling of two very important axes for Hellenism, the Greek language and Orthodoxy, takes place”, the Deputy Minister emphasized in his speech, expressing the support of the Greek State for the work of the School. After all, the preservation of the Greek language and ties with the ecclesiastical institutions of Orthodoxy are key axes of the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Hellenism Abroad, noted Mr. Kotsiras, and he particularly referred to actions that promote Greek learning, such as the expansion of the online platform staellinika.com and in German, according to an announcement by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier, the Deputy Minister was received by the Metropolitan of Austria, Exarch of Hungary and Central Europe, Arsenios, whom he congratulated for his great spiritual and administrative work, which guarantees the continuation of the long-standing operation of the School.

In the context of the visit, as pointed out in the same announcement, Mr. Kotsiras met at the Greek embassy residence with representatives of expatriate associations and Greeks living in Austria, whom he informed about the government’s initiatives to support the Expatriates.

As mentioned in the same announcement, the Deputy Minister called on the Greeks of Austria to take advantage of the opportunity of the postal vote in view of the European elections and to participate in the consultation on the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, submitting comments and proposals through the website mfa.gr .

The meeting was attended, among others, by representatives of the Austrian Federation of Greek Associations, the Association of Greek Students and Scientists of Vienna, the “Hephaistos” Association, AHEPA, the Greek High School, the Austro-Hellenic Society, the Macedonian Association, the Pontian Association “The Guest” » and of the Greek Association of Graz and Styria.

Mr. Kotsiras also had a series of contacts with organizations and members of the expatriate community during his visit to the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg. In particular, it is pointed out that in an event at the Spiritual Center of the Parish of Saints Peter and Paul, organized by the Consulate General of Greece in Stuttgart, the Deputy Minister informed the expatriates about the Government’s policy for the Greeks of the Diaspora, with an emphasis on the process of postal voting and in the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Hellenism Abroad.

Also, Mr. Kotsiras attended the Divine Liturgy at the Assumption Church in the town of Reutlingen in Baden-Württemberg, visited the Parish’s “Stegi Agapi” and praised the remarkable social work it does. “Our goal is to further strengthen our relations with the Greeks of Germany, this invaluable capital of Hellenism,” the deputy minister emphasized in his meetings.

During his stay in Stuttgart, Mr. Kotsiras visited the Consulate General of Stuttgart and talked with the staff about the further upgrading of the services provided and the facilitation of the postal voting process, pointing out that “the continuous strengthening of consular services is our main priority ».

Finally, he visited the Hellenic General High School of Stuttgart and talked with teachers, students and parents.

According to the same announcement, the Deputy Minister expressed the State’s support for Greek education abroad and the study of Greek, using modern digital tools, underlining that the preservation of our history, language and culture is our duty and a legacy for the next generations.