The President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine An. Tassoulas met with the Governing Board of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA), headed by its President and U.S. State Senator from the State of Rhode Island, Leonidas Raptakis.
Follows Mr. Tassoulas’ greeting:
“It is with great pleasure and honor that we welcome today at the Presidential Mansion the representatives of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association and wish them ‘many happy returns,’ as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of this global organization, which is represented by our compatriots and members of the Greek diaspora who serve as parliamentarians in various countries around the world.
We maintain strong ties with Greeks who have distinguished themselves in public life in their second homeland. We are proud of them and work together with them so that they may promote, in the countries where they thrive and prosper and have earned the approval of the people, the national interests in their full scope, ranging from the call for the reunification of the Parthenon sculptures to the vindication of the Cypriot struggle for the reunification of the island.
The idea of establishing the WHIA 30 years ago originated with the Greek State and the Hellenic Parliament undertook to place under its auspices and care this very important undertaking.
Now that three decades have passed, we can see that the results have been very positive. Having welcomed our representatives in the past at the Hellenic Parliament in my capacity as its President, I am delighted to welcome today, both new and familiar faces here at the Presidential Mansion and I thank them on behalf of the Greek State for their contribution to promoting national issues in the regions where they are active and, I repeat, they are elected by the will of the people, so that we may discuss issues they could undertake and services they could offer to our homeland. All of them are individuals who come to Greece every year, inform themselves about current developments and then transform this information into a positive initiative in their respective countries, so that the people and the key players where they are active remain informed about Greek affairs and Greek claims and national positions.
Once again, Mr. Raptakis, as President of the WHIA, I welcome you and your colleagues, and I hope that the next 30 years will be just as productive, if not more so, in achieving your goals.”
In turn, Senator Raptakis stated:
“Thank you, Mr. President. It is a great honor to be here with you once again today. As you mentioned, we have known each other for years and had the pleasure of working together in the Hellenic Parliament. Here today is the Governing Board, which consists of Greeks elected to the parliaments of countries such as France, Ukraine, Australia, Kenya, the United States and Canada.
It is very important, as you mentioned, that we succeed in building a stronger bridge between the countries where we were elected, between the Greek diaspora and the Greek people. We will do everything we can. Today, the situation in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean is dangerous. And what we can do is convey a strong message to our non-Greek colleagues in Parliament, to help Greece. And as you said, 52 years later, unfortunately, since Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus, we have a duty to resolve this issue as well.
We’re always by your side. This is very important, and as you know, we’ll be having elections in the United States again this year. We want young people to join the WHIA so that, in 30 years, we can celebrate our 60th anniversary with a strong and dynamic WHIA.
May you be well.”
The meeting was attended by Effie Triantafilopoulos, First Vice President of the WHIA and a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Second Vice President Steve Georganas, a member of the Australian House of Representatives, members of the Governing Board Marietta Karamanli, a member of the French National Assembly, Steve Malagari, a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Hryhoriy Nemyria, a member of Parliament of Ukraine and the Alternative Board Members Anastasia (Stacey) Travers, representative of the State of Arizona, Michael McCormack, member of the Australian Federal Parliament and Esther Passaris, Member of Parliament of Kenya.
