Takis Theodorikakos, the former minister and Member of Parliament for the Southern Sector of the ND, focused his speech in London on the need for the participation of Greeks abroad in the European elections, but also on the strategic priority that our country must have for the utilization of global Hellenism.

Speaking at an event organized by the Thyateira Association and the Hellenic Bankers Association on Monday night, he emphasized that the unity of the forces of Hellenism is crucial for the future of our country, pointing out that demographics is the number 1 problem of Greece.

“I want to invite you to participate in the European elections, to exercise your right. By voting for both Greece and Europe. By choosing to contribute to the stability and progress of our country, to the strong, patriotic voice and presence of Greece in the European Parliament and in Europe” he characteristically said addressing the expatriates and informed them in detail about the registration process on the platform for postal voting.

Earlier today he met with the Most Reverend Archbishop of Thyatira and Great Britain Mr. Nikitas. The next stop of the ex-minister’s expatriate mobilization tour is France and Paris, followed by Germany.

His entire speech:

I would like to thank the THYATERIA club, the Hellenic Bankers Association and the Greeks of London for inviting me to deliver this speech.

It is a special joy and honor for me to be among you among worthy Greek men and women who live, work, do business and distinguish themselves in London, in the dynamic capital of Great Britain, the great country, with which we traditionally have strong ties.

Ladies and gentlemen,

we live in a time of great upheaval and fluidity throughout humanity.

In a few months the presidential elections in the United States are going to be held, with many questions about the new data that will be created. While here, in Great Britain, the next parliamentary elections, probably within a year, will undoubtedly signal a lot. Not only for this great country, but for Europe and humanity.

In the European Union, the threat of economic recession looms over the largest economy, Germany.

While, unfortunately, there are ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, with tens of thousands of dead and dramatic consequences for the wider region and the entire planet. All of humanity wishes that reason prevails and that the confrontation between Israel and Iran does not escalate further.

In these circumstances, the unity of the Greeks is a very crucial element for the future of Greece: the strengthening of global Hellenism and the utilization of the emigrant Greeks in an organized way, so that they become a strong additive force of influence in the entire world.

And as we are in the month of April, when 200 years ago the great Philhellenic poet Lord Byron died, our memory turns to the great liberating revolution of 1821 and the great lessons it taught us. We Greeks, when we are united, we can achieve anything, overcome every obstacle and difficulty. But, when division comes between us, tragedies and great disasters come.

That is why we must unite to continue to keep our homeland safe, to strengthen it as a force of stability in the south-eastern Mediterranean, in Europe and the whole world.

This is what we have done all the previous years. Effectively guarding our borders from any kind of threat, strengthening them with the fence on the Evros, strengthening the Armed Forces and at the same time working for peace, through the application of International Law and the pursuit of good neighborly relations with everyone in our region.

Greece, after the great recession of the previous decade, has in the last 5 years entered a path of stability and better prospects, but do not doubt that a great effort is needed to continue this path without wavering. We face difficulties and risks, but also new opportunities.

The biggest problem we face for the country is demographic. It is the constant shrinking of our population. In recent years in Greece, deaths are much more than births. While at the same time hundreds of thousands have left in the last 15 years due to economic hardship.

We must do everything in such circumstances to unite the Greeks, to unite and strengthen Global Hellenism. It is the responsibility of all of us, wherever we are, to do everything to keep Greece strong with new dynamic prospects.

In the last 5 years, the country’s course is upward. The economy is growing, taxation is decreasing, unemployment has now fallen below 10%, investments are increasing – I remind you that Standard and Poors proceeded with new upgrades to the Greek economy – the country is modernizing, Greece is a safe, attractive destination. Without wanting to beautify the situation because we still have a lot to do, our homeland is a place that needs the Greeks of the whole earth and provides opportunities for repatriation.

It is the place for both the elderly and the younger dynamic generations of Greeks, where Greece always opens its arms, to accept and give new opportunities. In any case, we are ALL GREEKS, patriots, whose course is defined by three important life values: Patriotism, freedom, solidarity. We hold them up, they always give us strength and inspiration. Let’s move Greece forward, proud not only of history

Compatriots, Greece needs you.

Without any doubt the large community of the Greek diaspora here in London is the vanguard of global Hellenism. Tens of thousands of worthy people – who are active in the financial sector in the shipping industry in the sciences as well as thousands of Greek children studying in London and Great Britain – you are all worthy representatives of our homeland of the life values ​​represented by Hellenism.

That is why it is of particular importance for London and Great Britain to signal the strong participation of Greek expatriates in the European elections. Despite Brexit, the Greeks, I believe the Europeans as a whole, feel Great Britain next to us and a potential part of the European Union. Participation in the European elections will be a strong message of Democracy and cohesion, a strong message against populism and the adventurism of extreme voices, but also an important opportunity for everyone to reflect on how all the voices of European society will be represented in a democratic way.

I know you feel close to home and follow the developments.

You are our bright representatives, here in this great land of Freedom, which always has a special weight on the planet. With your hard work, with continuous efforts you succeed in improving your standard of living. We consider you an integral part of our country and that is why you have every right – and we want you to exercise this right – to vote for the future of Greece and Europe in the upcoming European elections.

I want to invite you to participate in the European elections, to exercise your right. Voting for both Greece and Europe. By choosing to contribute to the stability and progress of our country, to the strong, patriotic voice and presence of Greece in the European Parliament and in Europe.

You know that we made hard efforts to ensure that the Greeks abroad who are registered in the electoral rolls, can vote from the country in which they live. We started with the 2019 law, which of course set certain conditions, but now everyone who is on the electoral rolls can vote by mail in the European elections. All you need to do is first register, those of you who are not already registered, on the special postal vote electoral rolls via the Home Office’s online application by 29 April 2024.

You should log in to the application via epistoliki.ypes.gov.gr and log in either with your personal TaxisNet codes or by using a combination of your details listed on your valid Greek passport or national identity card or your census number, from recent birth or marital status certificate. You will then confirm your mobile phone and email with a one-time password that you will receive. Alternatively, if you do not have a police ID card or a Greek passport, with a British document stating your identity you can go to the Consulate and from there make your online application.

Compatriots, we are all proud of our Greece. It is the homeland of freedom, democracy, human-centered culture. And allow me, since I am in London, to remind you that it is a historic request of all Hellenism to return the monuments of the Acropolis to the wonderful museum of the Acropolis, the cradle of our Republic.