Athens, 1 July 2008

Dear Friends

The Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs with great pleasure welcomes, today, all of you that with your continuous efforts spread the Greek spirit and values of our culture in all the corners of this planet.

We warmly thank you for your presence, here today, and for your initiative to organize your annual conference in Athens. I am certain that your proceedings will be successful and will help all of you, but also the communities you represent, in continuing the difficult task you are conducting. 

We, citizens and politicians, of metropolitan Greece are proud of your successes. We feel moved with the strength of the determination that you are showing for progress and prosperity.

We are watching your emergence, as well as members of your families, in many sectors of human activity such as in arts, sciences, economy and politics, with satisfaction.

I have said it and I will repeat it again. You are the worthy ambassadors of Greek culture in the United States, bearing the accreditations of peace and friendship between the two peoples. Your fruitful presence in the American society and the acceptance by its members is the proof of common values that the two peoples share but also the excellent bilateral relations they maintain.

With your honest efforts you are creating a second Greece which is proud, dynamic and energetic and that plays a leading role in the multiracial mosaic of American society providing its own contribution to a democratic, friendly and with social sensitivities country.

Dear Friends

Your upgrading does not promote only your personal work. It promotes and the main principle of our culture that wants the Greeks to achieve many (things) when they are working on high standard objectives, when they are united and focused on values and principles that accompany their historical course in time. 

The AHEPA organization and this annual conference that brings close the Hellenic Diaspora of America and all the expatriates in the world are the proof of this truth. I warmly congratulate you for your efforts to maintain the Hellenic soul unchangeable within you in order to transmit it to the new generations.

I also congratulate you for your philanthropist work, the educational programs and your dynamic presence to all the Greek communities in America; the citizens of the world comprehend the message of peace, prosperity and brotherhood that the Greek culture sends.

Dear Friends

We warmly thank you for your efforts.  

Welcome to Athens. We wish you a good stay and every success in your conference.