Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, will make an official visit to New Zealand from Friday, October 10 to Sunday, October 12, the first by a Greek government representative in 18 years.
He will be accompanied by Greece’s Ambassador to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, six officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a press officer, and a security officer.
The last visit by a Greek official was in May 2007, when then-Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis travelled to NZ.
The program includes community events in Wellington and Auckland, as well as official discussions with New Zealand parliamentarians.
Community meet-and-greet functions will be hosted at the Acarnanian Brotherhood Hall in Wellington and the El Greco restaurant in Auckland.
The delegation will also attend a church service with the local Greek community before returning to Australia.