The President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, as part of her official visit to Uruguay, following the invitation of President Luis Lacaille Pou, went to the offices of the historic Greek community of Montevideo, where she was welcomed by the president Panagiotis Hatzirallis, the vice-president Pavlos Augustis and many expatriates . Afterwards, he visited the Greek Orthodox Church of Agios Nikolaos, with the Metropolitan of Buenos Aires Joseph, and was guided around the premises of the community.

Addressing the attendees, the President of the Republic, after thanking them for the warm welcome, emphasized: “I am particularly happy to be with you tonight, on the first visit of the President of the Hellenic Republic to Uruguay. My presence in this beautiful country gave me the opportunity to see firsthand how intense the feeling of philhellenism is that pervades its people, a fact to which you, who have integrated into its welcoming society, have decisively contributed.

From the beginning of the 20th century, when a large wave of Greek immigrants was recorded in Uruguay, until today, you continue to contribute, with your hard work and perseverance, to the progress of your new homeland, being a dynamic part of it. Your settlement here is connected with difficult moments of Hellenism, since many of your ancestors immigrated during the years of the Asia Minor disaster and also after the second world war and the fratricidal heartbreak that followed.

I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart and wish you every success in your personal and professional life. You are our worthy ambassadors, you highlight our cultural heritage and keep the flame of Hellenism unquenchable. Greece is watching your progress with pride.

I wish, to all of you, to your families and to each one of you, that you always progress in harmony, with health and happiness.”

The day before, the President of the Republic visited the National Library, the Solis Theater, as well as places in Montevideo of strong Greek interest.