ATHENS – Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in an interview with the Greek-Australian newspaper ‘Neos Kosmos’ published on March 18 focused on current international developments and Greece’s role, the Greek diaspora, bilateral relations with Australia, and the newly-approved postal voting process.
He first referred to the postponement of his planned visit to Australia due to developments in the Middle East. “My decision to postpone this visit was by no means easy. It had been planned for many months, and both my wife and I were very much looking forward to it. However, it was a responsible decision. As you know, the broader Middle East region is currently in the midst of an intense military conflict and, unfortunately, it would have been impossible for me to be away from my office for approximately a week, at a time when we are having to make critical decisions on a daily basis and to participate in European consultations on how to deescalate this crisis.”
He continued: “Nevertheless, I would like, through your kind hospitality, to address the Greek community in Australia and emphasize that this visit is not canceled but merely postponed. We will soon seek to reschedule it, in coordination with both the Greek community in Australia and the Australian government. For me, Australia is not simply a country where Greeks reside – it is a living part of global Hellenism,” he stressed.
Referring to postal voting, the prime minister underlined that “we want the Greek diaspora in Australia – and indeed global Hellenism, though I am addressing you in particular – to participate and help shape developments in the motherland. There is no better way to do this than by ensuring that as many eligible Greek voters as possible take part in the next national elections through postal voting.”
He added that it was good that the initiative was passed with a supermajority of 201 votes, enabling it to be implemented in the next elections. “I mention this because several parties ultimately did not support this measure; this is something that Greeks in Australia should take into account when they head to the polls,” he remarked.
Regarding the impact of the Iran war on tourism, Mitsotakis stated that there was no cause for concern, encouraging Greeks in Australia who plan to visit Greece this summer to proceed with their arrangements.
(Material from AMNA was used in this report)